Abstract
To synthesize and qualitatively assess the currently available evidence in the literature
regarding the revision of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. A systematic
review was conducted on the basis of the preferred reporting items for systematic
reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The outcome data extracted from the studies
were the Lysholm score, Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie (OAK) scoring system, KT-2000,
International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective, radiological
changes, rate of return to sports, complications, and failures and/or revision surgeries.
The cohort consisted of 54 patients (42 [77.8%] men and 12 [22.2%] women), with a
mean age of 33.14 ± 3.67 years (range: 17–48 years). The mean postoperative follow-up
was 71.8 ± 45.32 months, whereas the mean time from primary surgery to revision was
41.7 ± 4.5 months. All studies reported a clinical improvement from preoperative to
final follow-up in terms of the Lysholm, OAK, KT-2000, and IKDC scores (p < 0.05). Posterior displacement was significantly improved in all studies, demonstrating
the stability of the knee. The mean posterior displacement ranged from a preoperative
value of 10.68 ± 0.7 mm to a final value of 2.7 ± 0.2 mm (p < 0.05). A total of two (3.7%) failures were reported, and there were also eight
(14.8%) revision surgeries. Studies on PCL reconstruction revisions have shown satisfactory
clinical outcomes and a high level of knee stability, with minimal risk of new reruptures.
However, the rate of returning to preinjury sports activity is relatively low. Whenever
possible, it is recommended to perform the ligament revision in a single stage. The
level of evidence is a systematic review of level IV.
Keywords
posterior cruciate ligament - revision surgery - sports medicine - arthroscopy
