Patellar tendon versus hamstring tendon autografts for reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament: a meta-analysis based on individual patient data.
BACKGROUND
The best means of ensuring knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains a core debate in sports medicine.


OBJECTIVE
There is no difference between ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring tendon autografts with regard to postoperative knee laxity and instability.


METHODS
Meta-analysis of individual patient data.


METHODS
Pooled analysis of individual patient data from 6 published randomized clinical trials included 423 patients with symptomatic unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury randomly assigned to reconstruction with patellar tendon or hamstring tendon autograft. Knee instability, defined as a positive pivot-shift test result, was the primary outcome, and knee laxity, defined as a positive Lachman test result, was the secondary outcome. Odds ratios were computed before and after adjustment for potential confounders and trial effect. Regression analyses were performed to look for effects of covariates on outcomes, and mixed-effects models were used to account for a trial effect. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the effects of missing data and excluding each trial.


RESULTS
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft was significantly associated with a decreased risk of a positive pivot-shift test result (adjusted odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.86; P = .016). The risk of having a positive Lachman test result was not significantly different between the 2 groups. The estimated treatment effect was not substantially changed by differences in handling missing data or exclusion of any of the trials. A positive pivot-shift test result was more common in female (P = .003) and younger patients (P = .017).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative knee instability was less common after ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft than with hamstring tendon autograft.
Biau
David Jean
DJ
Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75679 Paris, France. djmbiau@yahoo.fr
Katsahian
Sandrine
S
Kartus
Jüri
J
Harilainen
Arsi
A
Feller
Julian A
JA
Sajovic
Matjaz
M
Ejerhed
Lars
L
Zaffagnini
Stefano
S
Röpke
Martin
M
Nizard
Rémy
R
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D050376:Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000592:standards; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000637:transplantation*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult