title: Influence of anthropometric features on graft diameter in ACL reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a paucity of literature regarding the influence of anthropometric features on the hamstring graft obtained in ACL reconstruction. This study was undertaken to assess the influence of anthropometric measurements on the graft diameter obtained at ACL reconstruction surgery within the European population. We hypothesise that anthropometric features do influence graft thickness in ACL reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 121 consecutive patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction by the same surgeon using quadruple hamstring grafts were analysed. The body mass index (BMI), height and weight of these patients were correlated with the graft diameter obtained during surgery. Regression analysis was undertaken to assess the influence of individual anthropometric variables on the graft diameter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 121 patients with mean age of 32 years (14-55). There was a statistically significant positive correlation individually between the height and graft diameter (r = 0.38, p < 0.01) as well as between the body weight and graft diameter (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). However, when the body mass index was calculated, the correlation was not statistically significant (r = 0.08, p > 0.1). Regression analysis confirmed that BMI was not statistically significant as a predictor of hamstring graft diameter whereas height was statistically the most important predictor (F = 20.1; p < 0.01).This yielded the predictive equation, graft diameter = 4.5 + 0.02 x Ht (in cm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although body mass index did not significantly correlate, body height may be a predictive variable in predicting the graft diameter in ACL reconstruction and provide useful pre operative information.
authors.affiliation: North Tyneside Hospital, 5, Meadow Vale, Shiremoor, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE27 0BD, UK. thomassuresh@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Saltikov
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D019737:Transplants; D055815:Young Adult