[A biomechanical study of anterior cruciate ligaments reconstructed with patella tendons augmented by absorbable...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an absorbable artificial material in rabbits. Experimental studies were carried out on 58 New Zealand white rabbits. After total resection of ACL, 22 knees were reconstructed with patella tendons alone (non-augmented group) and 27 knees with patella tendons augmented by polyglactin 910 mesh (augmented group). The animals were sacrificed for biomechanical testing at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, respectively, after the operation. The stiffness of reconstructed ACL in the augmented group showed a mean of 26.58 +/- 5.78 N/mm at 8 weeks, and that of the non-augmented group 16.47 +/- 11.34 N/mm. There were significant differences between the augmented and non-augmented groups (p < 0.05). The ultimate load and energy of the reconstructed ACL were also significantly higher in the augmented group than in the non-augmented group at 8 weeks. The mean elastic module was higher in the augmented than in the non-augmented group, but the differences were not significant. The mean tan delta of both groups was significantly higher than that of the normal ACL at 24 weeks. These results suggests that polyglactin 910 mesh induces earlier maturation of transplanted patella tendons biomechanically, and may be a useful material for ACL reconstruction.