2025 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster
Use Of Suture Tape Augmentation In Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Acl Reconstruction May Lead To Improved Short Term Outcomes
David X. Wang, MD, Pittsburgh, PA UNITED STATES
Jahan Aslami, MS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Anna Barclay, MD, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Madison Hein, BS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Amol Trivedi, BS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Jake Fanizza, BS, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Sam Akhavan, Pittsburgh UNITED STATES
Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES
FDA Status Cleared
Summary
In a retrospective review of patients from our institution who received quad tendon ACL reconstruction with and without suture tape augmentation, the suture tape group had statistically lower failure rates and improved short term patient reported outcomes
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Abstract
Purpose
Use of internal brace (IB) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is gaining popularity, potentially reducing the risk of early graft failure and allowing for more aggressive post-op rehabilitation protocols. Early studies on clinical outcomes of the use of IB are promising, but there is a lack of data investigating IB with the quadriceps tendon autograft, a graft choice that is also gaining popularity. We sought outcomes between those who received IB with ACL reconstruction at our institution versus those who did not.
Methods
63 consecutive patients who received primary quadriceps tendon autograft ACL reconstruction with IB and 53 of these ACL reconstructions who did not receive IB between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2023 with at least 6 months’ follow-up were investigated. Patients <16 years old were excluded. Failure was defined as any condition requiring revision. Full motion was defined as full extension and 135° of flexion. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) examined in the study included Knee Outcome Score (KOS-ADLS) and Lower Extremity Functional Index (LEFI).
Results
There was no significant difference in demographics or associated injuries between the groups. There was no difference in surgical time (p=.95). Use of IB augmentation was associated with decreased complications (RRR=.72, p=.015). Reported complications included graft failure, stiffness, persistent pain, VTE, post-op fall, cyclops lesion, infection, and wound drainage. IB patients also achieved full extension 20.9 days (p=.011) and full flexion 36.1 days faster (p=.011). Use of IB was associated with decreased graft failure (RRR=.57) although this was not statistically significant. Although sparsely reported, IB patients had significantly improved LEFI score at 4-6 weeks (p=.044). Both significant and non-significant improvements in PROs decreased over time.
Conclusion
Use of IB in ACL Quadriceps Tendon Autograft reconstruction may lead to improved early outcomes without increasing operative time. Higher powered and prospective studies are required to further elucidate this benefit.