Ultrastructural collagen fibril alterations in the patellar tendon 6 years after harvesting its central third.
BACKGROUND
Clinically, donor site problems are common, even in the long term after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft. However, there is a lack of knowledge in terms of the mid- and long-term ultrastructural appearance of the previously harvested tendon in humans.


OBJECTIVE
The patellar tendon does not regain normal ultrastructure 6 years after harvesting its central third and leaving the defect open.


METHODS
Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.


METHODS
Thirteen patients were included in the study. Biopsy specimens were obtained from the central and lateral thirds of the patellar tendon under ultrasound guidance 71 months (range, 68-73 months) after the reconstruction. Ten biopsy specimens from other subjects with asymptomatic patellar tendons served as controls. The sections were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. Longitudinal sections were used for morphological evaluation, and the fibril diameter was measured on the transverse sections and grouped into 5 diameter classes.


RESULTS
All control specimens were found to have a compact extracellular matrix with regularly oriented collagen fibrils. Specimens from the lateral part of the harvested tendons displayed a more heterogeneous extracellular matrix. In 3 specimens, the extracellular matrix was different from that of the control specimens. Specimens from the central part of the harvested tendons displayed an even more heterogeneous extracellular matrix, with 8 specimens judged as heterogeneous. The fibril diameter in control specimens displayed the most heterogeneous pattern, and all 5 fibril classes were present. All fibril classes were found in the lateral biopsy specimens from the previously harvested tendons, but the 2 smallest fibril classes (0-30 and 31-60 nm) were significantly more dominant compared with control specimens (P < .0001). In the central specimens from the previously harvested tendons, only the 3 smallest size classes were found (P < .0001 vs controls).


CONCLUSIONS
Six years after harvesting its central third and leaving the defect open, the patellar tendon revealed a "more heterogeneous matrix" with changes in ultrastructural morphology and relative fibril diameter distribution compared with normal control tendon.
Svensson
Michael
M
Department of Orthopaedics, Norra Alvsborg/Uddevalla Hospital, SE-461 85 Trollhättan, Sweden.
Movin
Tomas
T
Rostgård-Christensen
Lars
L
Blomén
Eva
E
Hultenby
Kjell
K
Kartus
Jüri
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013997:Time Factors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting
D024022:Fibrillar Collagens