Double-Bundle Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using the Transtibial Technique

We present an arthroscopic surgical procedure for double-bundle transtibial anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with 2 tibial and femoral tunnels using autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. The first aim is to attempt to create the femoral tunnels correctly through the tibial tunnels. To achieve this, a new tibial guide was used that permitted the simultaneous preparation of the anteromedial and posterolateral tibial tunnels. The intra-articular landmark is the tibial spine region, whereas the extra-articular landmarks are the anterior profile of the medial collateral ligament and the anterior tibial apophysis. We also describe transverse femoral fixation with biopins (1 for each femoral tunnel) after the preparation of the 2 tibial and femoral tunnels.     

A New Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Posteromedial Portal Technique With Hamstrings

We describe a new double-bundle reconstruction method for ruptured anterior cruciate ligament using a posteromedial portal technique. Reconstruction materials are semitendinosus tendon (STT) and gracilis tendon (GT). STT is used as the substitute for the anteromedial bundle (AMB) and fixed to the tunnels produced on the tibia and the femur. GT is used as the substitute for the posterolateral bundle (PLB) and fixed to the tunnels on the tibia and the femur. This femoral tunnel for the PLB is created through a posteromedial portal. These procedures are performed using the inside-out technique. The posteromedial portal provides an accurate access to the femoral attachment of the PLB. This surgical technique can avoid overlapping of the 2 femoral tunnels and destruction of the posterior cortex of the lateral condyle on the femur during the preparation of the PLB. Our technique does not need another tibial tunnel for the PLB; the 1 tibial tunnel enables double-bundle reconstruction and prevents tibial tunnel expansion.     

Implantatfreier Ersatz des vorderen Kreuzbandes in Double-bundle-Technik

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the double bundle technique provides better covering of the anatomic insertion site areas and fiber length change behavior. Biomechanical studies and intraoperative measurements with computer navigation systems document increased stability in particular due to rotational stability. To date the impact of the posterolateral bundle is questioned and clinical studies have reported divergent outcomes. In favor of enhanced rotational stability, some techniques leave the basic principles of aperture or central graft fixation, decreasing primary stability and running the risk of tunnel widening especially on the femoral site. Additional use of interference screws means increased implants and costs and bone void in cases of revision is challenging. A technique for anatomic double-bundle reconstruction without the use of implants is presented, which allows for femoral aperture fixation with high primary stability of both bundles. In terms of the knot/press-fit technique of Paessler in the U-shaped tendons, a knot is created at the free end, which serves as a rigid press-fit anchoring in bottleneck shaped femoral drill holes at the insertion site of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles. The drill holes are prepared in flexion of 110–115° using common offset and target drill devices. Mersilen tapes are applied to introduce the grafts from femoral to tibial and to fix the tendons over a bony bridge on the tibial site after preconditioning. The gracilis tendon mimics the posterolateral bundle and is fixed in 20° of flexion, the semi- tendinosus tendon is used for the anteromedial bundle and is fixed in 40° of flexion. The advantages of the presented technique are the central, rigid femoral anchoring without hardware, the thin bone tunnels which show no tunnel widening and allow for an optimal bone tendon contact to enhance bony ingrowth. The technique is cost-efficient and provides anatomic double bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. The sacrifice of hardware ensures easy revisions. The disadvantages are the peripheral tibial fixation, the preparation of the tendons needs tendon length and the creation of tendon knots providing high stability requires practice. The two femoral bone tunnels have proved to be safe regarding the stability of the lateral femoral condyle.     

Hybrid Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Introduction of a New Technique for Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Recently, anatomic or double-bundle reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been presented in an effort to more accurately restore the native anatomy. These techniques create 2 tunnels in both the femur and tibia to reproduce the bundles of the ACL. However, the increased number of tunnels, particularly on the femoral side, has raised some concerns among authors and surgeons. We describe a technique to reconstruct the 2 distinct bundles of the ACL by using a single femoral tunnel and 2 tibial tunnels, the “hybrid” ACL reconstruction. The femoral tunnel is drilled through an anteromedial arthroscopy portal, which allows placement in a more anatomic position. Fixation in the femur is achieved with a novel device that separates a soft-tissue graft into 2 independently functioning bundles. Once fixed in the femur, the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles of the graft are passed through respective tunnels at the anatomic footprint on the tibia. These bundles are independently tensioned, which creates a reconconstruction that is similar to the native ACL. The technique presented provides surgeons with an alternative to other double-bundle techniques involving 4 tunnels.     

Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament Using Tibial-Inlay and Double-Bundle Technique

Biomechanical research has suggested that the double-bundle and tibial inlay technique is superior to the single-bundle and the transtibial tunnel method for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. A combination the posterior tibial inlay and femoral double-bundle technique is thought to be an ideal method for PCL reconstruction. Recently, we successfully performed arthroscopic PCL reconstruction using the tibial-inlay and double-bundle technique. Achilles tendon–bone allograft is used and the bone plug for the arthroscopic tibial inlay fixation is designed in a cylindrical shape and perpendicular to the fiber texture of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon is manually split into deep and superficial layers to reconstruct anterolateral and posteromedial bundles as the natural insertion of PCL. The intra-articular lengths of each bundle between tibial tunnel and 2 femoral tunnels are measured to achieve fixation of the graft to the original PCL attachment. After tibial bone plug fixation with an absorbable interference screw and additional suture anchoring, the anterolateral bundle is fixed in a reduction position with the knee in 90° of flexion and the posteromedial bundle is fixed nearly in extension. This procedure makes it possible not only to reproduce the original concept of PCL tibial inlay graft arthroscopically without posterior arthrotomy, but also to achieve a more anatomic PCL reconstruction of the 2 bundles.     

Aperture Fixation in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Double-Bundle Reconstruction

The native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) consists of 2 bundles, which have distinct biomechanical yet synergistic functions with respect to anterior tibial translation and combined rotatory loads. Traditionally, most ACL reconstruction techniques have primarily addressed the restoration of the anteromedial bundle, and less consideration was given to the posterolateral bundle. Recently, various ACL double-bundle reconstruction techniques have been described. With most of these techniques, however, an indirect extra-anatomic fixation far from the articular surface was performed. Because extra-anatomic fixation techniques, rather than aperture fixation techniques, are associated with graft tunnel motion, windshield wiper action, and suture stretch-out, concerns may arise regarding delayed biological incorporation, tunnel enlargement, and secondary rotational and anterior instability. We, therefore, present a novel arthroscopic technique that reapproximates the footprints of native ACL with the use of double-strand semitendinosus and gracilis autografts for reconstruction of the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles, respectively. A separate femoral and tibial tunnel is drilled for each double-strand autograft. The femoral tunnel for the anteromedial bundle is drilled primarily through a transtibial technique, and the femoral tunnel for the posterolateral bundle is drilled via an accessory anteromedial portal with the use of a 4-mm offset drill guide in the anteroinferior aspect of the femoral tunnel for the anteromedial bundle. Bioabsorbable interference screws are used in aperture fixation for anatomic fixation of each bundle. This technique attempts to reproduce closely the native ligament and its biomechanical function.     

Arthroscopic double-bundled posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft

Summary: An arthroscopic technique for double-bundled reconstruction for posterior cruciate ligament with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft is presented. Anterolateral and posteromedial tunnels were created to simulate and reproduce the double-bundle structure of the posterior cruciate ligament. The bone plug is situated at the tibial tunnel and fixed by a titanium interference screw. Each of the bundles of tendon graft is rigidly fixed at the femoral tunnel with a bioabsorbable screw.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 16, No 7 (October), 2000: pp 780–782     

Anatomically Oriented Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with a Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Graft via Rectangular Socket and Tunnel: A Snug-fit and Impingement-Free Grafting Technique

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique is described to place bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) graft in an anatomically oriented fashion to mimic the 2 bundles of the normal ACL, based on the concept of twin tunnel ACL reconstruction, to maximize the graft-tunnel interface. In this technique, the attached bone plug is introduced into a rectangular femoral socket via a halfway rectangular tibial tunnel for the anterior portion of the graft to function as the anteromedial bundle and for its posterior portion to behave as the posterolateral bundle. A snug fitting of the graft is achieved not only at the femoral socket, but also in the tibial tunnel.     

Die Zwei-Bündel-Technik – eine anatomische Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbandes

OBJECTIVE: To improve the rotational stability of the knee by anatomic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by socalled double-bundle technique using anteromedial and posterolateral grafts from native semitendinosus and gracilis. The grafts are fixed with bioabsorbable screws utilizing aperture fixation. INDICATIONS: Complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament with positive Lachman sign and pivot shift. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Open growth plate. Osteoarthritis > grade 1 according to J?ger & Wirth. Age > or = 50 years with low sports activity (relative contraindication). SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Graft harvest of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons via a 3-cm horizontal skin incision parallel to pes anserinus and preparation of the tendons as double-looped grafts. Arthroscopy, resection of the stump of the anterior cruciate ligament, and clearance of its origin and insertion. Tunnel placement by means of aiming devices in the following order: tibial posterolateral, tibial anteromedial, femoral anteromedial (transtibial or via the anteromedial portal in 120 degrees flexion), and femoral posterolateral (via additional medial arthroscopic portal). The anteromedial (semitendinosus tendon) and posterolateral (gracilis tendon) bundles are passed through the tunnels and fixed on the femoral side. Tibial fixation of the graft by bioresorbable interference screw with knee flexion of 45 degrees (anteromedial) and 10 degrees (posterolateral). POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Depending on the degree of swelling, rehabilitation with partial weight bearing for 14 days and full range of motion. Return to sports after 6 months, no contact sports until 9 months. RESULTS: From May 2004 to June 2005, anatomic double-bundle reconstruction was performed in 19 patients (13 male, six female, average age 31 years [18-48 years]) with isolated anterior cruciate ligament rupture without concomitant lesions. Clinical follow-up examination on average at 21.3 months (16-30 months) postoperatively. The Lysholm Score improved from an average of 65.2 to 94.5 points (75-100 points). The IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) Score yielded nine very good and ten good results in the relevant subgroups of motion, effusion and ligament stability. Measurement of anteroposterior translation with the KT-1000 instrument at 134 N showed increased translation of 1.8 mm (-2 to 5 mm) compared to the contralateral knee.     

Arthroscopic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: An Anatomic Approach

The anterior cruciate ligament consists of 2 functional bundles, the anteromedial and the posterolateral bundle. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has traditionally focused on recreating the anteromedial bundle, while the reconstruction of the posteromedial bundle has not routinely been addressed. The authors, from 2 academic centers, present a technique of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction that restores both the anteromedial and the posterolateral bundle using either semitendinosus and gracilis autografts or tibialis anterior allografts. This technique represents a novel approach to restore the anteromedial and the posterolateral bundle at their anatomic insertion sites on both the tibia and the femur through separate bone tunnels. We believe that our double-bundle anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction closely reapproximates the native insertion sites of the anterior cruciate ligament on the tibia and the femur while more closely recreating the biomechanical function of the native ligament.     

单隧道双束腘绳肌腱双Intrafix固定重建前交叉韧带近期疗效观察

目的 探讨单隧道双束腘绳肌腱双Intrafix固定重建前交叉韧带(ACL)中应用的可行性及近期疗效.方法 对30例ACL损伤患者行关节镜下单隧道双束腘绳肌腱ACL重建术.采用膝关节镜前内侧入路(AM)建立股骨隧道,胫骨端用点对点ACL瞄准器建立隧道.隧道股骨端采用Femoral-Intrafix固定将腘绳肌腱分为前内侧束及后外侧束.通过旋转胫骨端移植物,将移植物调整为生理的双束位置,采用Bio-Intrafix固定胫骨端.结果 30例均获随访,时间6～8个月.根据Lysholm膝关节功能评分:术前为19～58(33.17±11.71)分;术后6个月为88～98(95.30±2.10)分(t=30.20,P<0.01).结论 单隧道双束腘绳肌腱双Intrafix固定重建ACL,手术操作简便,固定牢固,近期效果满意.     

关节镜下半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱双隧道重建前十字韧带

目的探讨关节镜下联合应用半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱重建前十字韧带(anteriorcruciateligament,ACL)的方法及疗效。方法回顾自1998年4月～2000年5月在关节镜下联合应用半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱重建ACL的患者12例。于ACL前内侧束和后外侧束的附着部分别钻直径4.5mm的隧道,用半腱肌腱重建前内侧束,股薄肌腱重建后外侧束,保留半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱的附着点,在股骨隧道外口将半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱打结固定,不行内固定。所有患者术前及术后18个月行膝关节屈曲30°、60°、90°前抽屉试验,Lysholm评分方法评定膝关节功能。结果术后随访18～43个月,平均26个月。术前所有患者前抽屉试验均为阳性,术后9例阴性,2例屈膝30°位阳性,1例屈膝30°、60°位阳性。术前Lysholm评分为40～58分,平均50.5分,手术后18个月为62～92分,平均85分,总优良率为91.7%。结论应用半腱肌腱和股薄肌腱联合重建ACL,术后膝关节动态稳定性好,疗效满意。     

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with quadriceps tendon autograft and press-fit fixation using an anteromedial portal technique

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This article describes an arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique with a quadriceps tendon autograft using an anteromedial portal technique. METHODS: A 5 cm quadriceps tendon graft is harvested with an adjacent 2 cm bone block. The femoral tunnel is created through a low anteromedial portal in its anatomical position. The tibial tunnel is created with a hollow burr, thus acquiring a free cylindrical bone block. The graft is then passed through the tibial tunnel and the bone block, customized at its tip, is tapped into the femoral tunnel through the anteromedial portal to provide press-fit fixation. The graft is tensioned distally and sutures are tied over a bone bridge at the distal end of the tibial tunnel. From the cylindrical bone block harvested from the tibia the proximal end is customized and gently tapped next to the graft tissue into the tibial tunnel to assure press fitting of the graft in the tibial tunnel. The distal part of the tibial tunnel is filled up with the remaining bone.All patients were observed in a prospective fashion with subjective and objective evaluation after 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Thirty patients have been evaluated at a 12 months follow-up. The technique achieved in 96.7% normal or nearly normal results for the objective IKDC. The mean subjective IKDC score was 86.1 [PLUS-MINUS SIGN] 15.8. In 96.7% the Tegner score was the same as before injury or decreased one category. A negative or 1+ Lachman test was achieved in all cases. Pivot-shift test was negative or (+) glide in 86.7%. The mean side-to-side difference elevated by instrumental laxity measurement was 1.6 [PLUS-MINUS SIGN] 1.1 mm. Full ROM has been achieved in 92.3%. The mean single one-leg-hop index was 91.9 [PLUS-MINUS SIGN] 8.0 at the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Potential advantages include minimum bone loss specifically on the femoral side and graft fixation without implants.     

No Tunnel 2-Socket Technique: All-Inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Double-Bundle Retroconstruction

This report describes an all-inside, double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament retroconstruction (all-inside ×2 technique), which is a less invasive technique because of the use of sockets (2 femoral and 2 tibial) instead of complete bone tunnels. When performed with allograft, this may be termed a “no-incision” technique. The femoral sockets are reamed via the anteromedial arthroscopic portal. The tibial sockets are created with the all-inside RetroDrill (Arthrex, Naples, FL) from within the joint. The posterolateral bundle graft is passed first and shuttled through the anteromedial portal and fixed on the femur with a RetroButton (Arthrex), interference screw, or both. It is then fixed on the tibia with a bioabsorbable RetroScrew (Arthrex) near full extension. The anteromedial bundle graft is passed through next, and the process is repeated with tibial fixation performed at 45° of flexion. Posterolateral and anteromedial tibial fixation may be backed up by tying over a cortical button.     

Arthroscopic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Augmentation Using an Autogenous Hamstring Tendon Graft and the Posterior-Posterior Triangulation Technique

We describe a modification of the currently practiced arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction techniques. We augmented the injured PCL with quadrupled autogenous hamstring tendon grafts using the arthroscopic posterior-posterior triangulation method and a single-incision transtibial approach. The tibial drill guide was introduced through the anteromedial portal and positioned onto the fossa for the PCL on the tibia under arthroscopic guidance from the posterolateral portal. The femoral tunnel was made 10 mm posterior to the articular cartilage of the medial femoral condyle by use of the anterior cruciate ligament Beath pin (Arthrex, Naples, FL) introduced through the far-inferior anterolateral portal. The tendon graft was positioned in the knee joint by use of the tibial and femoral double-folded silk loops that traversed the bony tunnels. The graft was fixed by use of bioabsorbable Intrafix screw systems (DePuy Mitek, Raynham, MA) at both the ends. The arthroscopic posterior-posterior triangulation method provides adequate exposure of the posterior knee compartment; this allows for convenient instrumentation and safe and accurate placement of the bony tunnels with preservation of the PCL remnants. We believe that retention of the remnant PCL fibers is biologic and contributes to earlier healing and strengthening of the tendon graft.     

Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with split Achilles allograft and single tibia tunnel for small ACL tibial footprint : technical note with clinical results

Purpose

We describe a surgical technique of double-bundle ACL reconstruction with a single tibia tunnel and report the clinical outcome.

Methods

The Achilles tendon portion was split longitudinally into two separate bundles, namely, an anteromedial (AM) bundle with 7–8 mm diameter and a posterolateral (PL) bundle with 4–6 mm diameter. The central portion of the calcaneal bone plug was prepared with a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 30 mm. For the femoral tunnel preparation, we preferred inside out target through an accessory anteromedial portal for an approach to native ACL footprint and outside in reaming through separate incision on the lateral aspect of distal thigh to prevent cartilage injury of medial femoral condyle. 10 mm diameter of single tibia tunnel was prepared at the central portion of ACL tibial footprint. After graft passage from tibia to femoral side, fixation of calcaneal bone plug within the tibia tunnel was performed using two bioabsorbable cross pins. Then, AM bundle was first fixed at 45° of flexion while the PL bundle was fixed at 10° of flexion using bioabsorbable interference screws and augmented staples. Clinical results of 22 patients (18 males and 4 females, average age 30.7 years) who underwent double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with this technique were evaluated.

Results

At an average follow-up of 30 months, there was significant improvement of the Lysholm knee score, the 2,000 IKDC subjective knee score, the median Tegner activity score and the side-to-side difference. According to the 2,000 IKDC knee examination form, the grade rated as normal in seven patients, nearly normal in 14 patients and abnormal in one patient at the latest follow-up. There were no postoperative complications and revisional surgeries.

Conclusions

Split Achilles allograft and single tibia tunnel technique for double-bundle ACL reconstruction can be an alternative option for patients with small tibial insertion sites.

Level of evidence

Level IV, therapeutic study.     

前交叉韧带解剖双束重建中股骨隧道建立路径的比较研究

目的前瞻性研究在关节镜下前交叉韧带（ACL）解剖双束重建术中,采用经胫骨隧道与经前内人路定位建立股骨隧道的可行性与准确性。方法在连续30例ACL患者的解剖双束重建术中,首先分别以45°、55°角钻取胫骨隧道,关节内出口分别在ACL胫骨解剖附丽区印记的前内和后外,保留1～2mm间隔骨桥;关节外入口分别位于胫骨结节内侧和内侧副韧带前缘的前方,间隔以两枚Washer不重叠为准,分别用于前内侧束和后外侧束的移植重建。然后分别经两胫骨隧道,将两根球头空心钻的钻杆自胫骨隧道插入关节内,观察两钻头杆能否到达理想的股骨隧道,录像记录并进行统计学分析。结果在本组30例患者中,经胫骨前内侧束隧道插入的钻头杆,在股骨侧的指向全部偏高、偏前,无一例能完全或部分到达股骨侧前内侧或后外侧束隧道口;而经胫骨后外侧束隧道的钻头杆,经屈或伸膝调整角度后,5例（16．7％）可完全到达、8例（26．7％）可部分到达股骨的前内侧束隧道口;有2例（6．7％）可完全到达、6例（20．0％）部分到达股骨的后外侧束隧道口。而经前内入路屈膝120°后,28例（93．3％）定位可达到理想位置。结论在ACL解剖双束移植重建中,经胫骨隧道定位钻取股骨隧道的方法不可靠、准确性差、变异较大、可重复性差;而经前内入路方法可调节性强、准确性好、股骨隧道短、不受胫骨隧道方向、角度和直径的影响、简便易行、重复性好;但应注意要在较大的屈膝角度下定位钻取。     

One-incision endoscopic technique for posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft

Quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft is an alternative graft choice for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. A 2-incision technique with outside-in fixation at the femoral condyle is generally used. In this article, we describe a 1-incision endoscopic technique for PCL reconstruction with quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft. The graft consists of a proximal patellar bone plug and central quadriceps tendon. The bone plug is trapezoidal, 20 mm long, 10 mm wide, and 8 mm thick. The tendon portion is 80 mm long, 10 mm wide, and 6 mm thick, including the full-thickness of the rectus femoris and partial thickness of the vastus intermedius. Three arthroscopic portals, including anteromedial, anterolateral, and posteromedial, are used. All procedures are performed in an endoscopic manner with only 1 incision at the proximal tibia. At the femoral side, the bone plug is fixed by an interference screw. At the tibial side, the tendon portion is fixed by a suture to a screw on the anterior cortex and an interference bioscrew in the posterior tibial tunnel opening. Quadriceps tendon autograft has the advantages of being self-available, allowing for easier arthroscopic technique, and providing comparable graft size. The 1-incision technique provides a simple reconstruction method for PCL insufficiency without a second incision at the medial femoral condyle.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 3 (March), 2001: pp 329–332     

Anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstrings

This article describes a double-bundle gracilis and semitendinosus technique that guarantees a more anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and allows the surgeon to avoid the use of hardware for graft fixation. The tendons are harvested maintaining their tibial insertion. Sutures are tightened at the free proximal tendon ends to obtain a sufficient strength to traction. The tibial tunnel is located in the medioposterior part of the ACL tibial insertion. For the femoral tunnel, the knee is flexed around 130° and the guide pin is advanced until it passes the femoral cortex. The exit point in the lateral aspect of the femur should be immediately above the end of the lateral femoral condyle. After the lateral incision, the tendons are passed over the top. The correct placement is found by palpating the posterior tubercle of the lateral femoral condyle with a finger. The stitches on the free end of the tendons are tied onto the passing suture that is pulled through the knee joint into the over-the-top position. A suture loop is introduced into the joint through the anteromedial portal using a suture passer and then pulled into the femoral tunnel under the arthroscopic view. The stitches on the free end of the tendons are looped again onto the passing suture, which is pulled through the femoral tunnel, knee joint, and tibial tunnel to retrieve the graft from the tibial incision. The combined gracilis and semitendinosus tendons are then tensioned and secured with a transosseus suture knot. This technique attempts to reproduce the kinematic effect of both anteromedial and posterolateral bundle of the ACL with a 4-bundle reconstruction with a better performance from the anatomic and functional point of view.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 5 (May-June), 2003: pp 540–546     

Trantibial anterior cruciate ligament double bundle reconstruction technique: two tibial bundle in one tibial tunnel

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) consists of two functional bundles that behave independently throughout the range of knee motion. Many two-bundle reconstruction techniques have been introduced to restore the function of the two bundles of the ACL. Generally, two femoral and two tibial tunnels are made during the surgery for a two-bundle ACL reconstruction. However, the procedure is technically demanding and time consuming. This paper describes one-tibial-two-femoral ACL double bundle reconstruction technique with a sextuple-stranded hamstring autograft. The anteromedial femoral tunnel is made using transtibial drilling technique and posterolateral femoral tunnel is made using outside-in technique. The two bundles in a single tibial tunnel are separated using biodegradable interference screw. Stable and adequate femoral fixation of the two bundles with a transtibial fixation and bioabsorbable screw can be obtained. This technique is relatively simple, and replicates the anatomy and differential behavior of the two native bundles of ACL more effectively.