Anterior cruciate ligament suture in comparison with plasty. A 5-year follow-up study

In this retrospective study we analyse the results of primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sutures, primary ACL plasties and secondary ACL plasties 5 years after operation. All operations were performed with an additional PDS augmentation. Follow-ups of 100 of 130 patients could be done (80 male and 20 female). The average age at time of operation was 29.2 years. ACL rupture in 81 patients occurred due to a sport accident. In 26 patients a primary ACL suture was performed, in 59 patients a primary ACL plasty and in 15 patients an ACL plasty due to instability. There was no difference between the primary and secondary plasty groups, but there was between the suture and the plasty groups. In all, 92% of the suture group and 69% of the plasty group were satisfied with the surgical results. The pivot shift, Lachman and anterior drawer sign were less frequent in the ACL suture group, and the Lysholm score was higher. Primary suture combined with a PDS augmentation seems to represent an adequate treatment of acute proximal ACL ruptures.