[Anterior ligamentoplasty of the knee under arthroscopic control]

In the technique reported here an anterior cruciate ligament of the knee made of Dacron is inserted under arthroscopy, thus avoiding the usual wide tissue damage and delay in recovery. The very small incisions make it possible to install the prosthesis within an isometric, and therefore reliable, framework. Dacron is used alone for patients who underwent several unsuccessful operations on the knee, and Dacron wrapped in fascia lata, as suggested by Mansat, for patients operated upon for the first time. The results are very encouraging, with no post-operative complications, but the future of this technique will depend on the discovery of a better prosthetic material. This approach to reconstruction of the cruciate ligament might be considered a breakthrough in the treatment of chronic laxity of the knee.