ABSTRACT
This article describes a technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair using
a synthetic braided ligament made of 75% degradable polyglycolic acid filaments and
25% nondegradable, 6.5-mm Dacron thread, wrapped in a free synovial graft. In a prospective
study of 70 consecutive patients, this technique (experimental group) was compared
to a standard bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft technique (autograft group). All
of the patients improved after surgery. There were no surgical complications, and
all of the patients returned to full activity without pain or instability. After mean
follow-up of 12 years (range, 8-19 years), patients in the experimental group functioned
well and statistically better than patients in the autograft group using International
Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Lysholm
evaluation measurement tools. These results suggest a partially biodegradable replacement
ligament prosthesis protected by a synovial wrap can result in a functionally stable
knee.
