title: Hamstring graft sizes differ between Chinese and Caucasians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of hamstring tendon autografts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery has become more and more common. The purposes of this study were to determine whether anthropomorphic measurement correlated with tendon sizes in Chinese patient group and whether tendon sizes in Chinese and Caucasian patient groups differed.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2008 to 2009, 100 patients that received double-bundle ACL reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendons were prospectively enrolled. The original lengths and triple-folded graft diameters of the individual semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis (Gr) tendons were recorded and correlated with the anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index, gender, thigh length, shank length, leg length and bilateral thigh circumference) of the patients. Later, using height for predictions, the original heights of patients were added to the equations previously used for regression models to compare the tendon lengths in different ethnic groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the height and leg lengths showed greatest correlation with the lengths of both tendons. The lengths of both the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in Caucasian patients were significantly longer than in the Chinese patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study showed that anthropomorphic measurements (height and leg length) correlated with tendon lengths. In addition, Caucasians had significantly longer hamstring tendons than the Chinese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study (prevalence), Level I.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Shih-Pai, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: En-Rung
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Hsiao-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Shih-Tien
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shih-Chieh
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Chien-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tain-Hsiung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods; D000886:Anthropometry; D044466:Asian People; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000637:transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D044465:White People