[Biomechanical study of four-bundle semitendinosus tendon autograft used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rabbits model].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the biomechanical change of the remodeling process of a four bundles model using semitendinosus tendon for the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in rabbits, and to explore the possibility of using braiding technique for improving the outcome for reconstruction of ACL.


METHODS
Two techniques were employed for the ACL reconstruction, one group with the implant of parallel bundles and the other with the braided bundles. Specimen were collected at 26 and 52 weeks after surgery respectively for biomechanical test. Gross morphology was also observed.


RESULTS
The group with the implant of the braided bundles showed a more fused rate. The biomechanical test showed that the strength of the reconstructed ACL with the unbraided bundles was 35.87% of the controlled normal ACL, while the braided bundles reached 67.20%. The strength of the graft of the 26 and 52 weeks with the braided bundles were significantly higher than that of the unbraided group, while the stiffness of the 52 weeks graft of the braided group was significantly higher than that of the unbraided group also.


CONCLUSIONS
Braiding each bundle to become a single implant for reconstruction of ACL might have better outcome since it will decrease the movement between each bundles and improve the biomechanical properties.
Xu
Yan
Y
Institute of Sports Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China. fingerprints@bj1860.net
Ao
Ying-fang
YF
Yu
Chang-long
CL
Zhang
Ji-ying
JY
Fu
Xin
X
D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous