MUSCLE TISSUE LOSS AFTER HAMSTRING GRAFT HARVEST IN ACL RECONSTRUCTION

COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: the loss of muscle tissue during hamstring graft harvest in ACL reconstruction, will depend on the size of the tendon stripper used. Our aim is to compare and quantify the loss of healthy muscle tissue when the graft is extracted, thus, be able to evaluate a strategy to reduce the donor site morbidity.

Materials and methods: we harvested hamstring graft, semitendinosus and gracilis, in ten cadaver specimens (twenty knees) using two tendon strippers of 5 mm and 7 mm respectively. Then, we measured the weight and volume of the resected muscle tissue by each stripper.

Results: outcome measures were compared, showing a statistically significant difference (p <0.01) in both, volume and weight of the extracted material, for both muscles involved.

Conclusion: our hypothesis was confirmed. Results show a 33 to 65% higher weight and volume of healthy muscle tissue extraction, only by using a higher diameter stripper than the one required. We strongly recommend using a 5 mm stripper to reduce donor site morbidity and resect a lower volume of muscle tissue.