[Experimental evaluation of using polyester prosthesis of various textures for alloplasty in cruciate ligaments of...

In the last decade hundreds of the knee cruciate ligaments prostheses have been implanted in patients. Late follow up results of this kind of operations are under further discussion and therefore research of such implants of the cruciate ligaments are still on the way. The author has evaluated 5 kinds of polyester ACL polyester prosthesis Trevira of the same mechanical properties with a difference only in texture. He implanted them in place of primarily removed ACL in piglets of 20-30 kg and in rabbits into dorsal muscles to evaluate their biocompatibility. After 3 and 6 months period the autopsy of piglets has been performed and macroscopic image, histologic examination and X-ray image has been evaluated. The autopsy of rabbits has been performed after 14 days and 3 months. All examination described above proved the high biocompatibility of polyester prostheses. Quite significant quantitative differences in fibro-connective tissue ingrowing into the different implants of their intraarticular, intraosseous and extraarticular portion. Prostheses of loose texture have very good connective tissue ingrowing ability and seem to be more useful in cruciate ligaments replacement. Especially useful they can be in augmentation of the autogenic tissues because of their better junction with the implant, so they created functional unit. Increased amount of connective fibre tissue ingrowing the implant can be the factor of diminishing its degradation and negative influence of the knee articulation.