title: Minimally invasive harvest of a quadriceps tendon graft with or without a bone block.
abstract: The quadriceps tendon (QT) as a graft source for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has recently achieved increased attention. Although many knee surgeons have been using the QT as a graft for ACL revision surgery, it has never gained universal acceptance for primary ACL reconstruction. The QT is a very versatile graft that can be harvested in different widths, thicknesses, and lengths. Conventionally, the QT graft is harvested by an open technique, requiring a 6 to 8 cm longitudinal incision, which often leads to unpleasant scars. We describe a new, minimally invasive, standardized approach in which the QT graft can be harvested through a 2- to 3-cm skin incision and a new option of using the graft without a bone block.
authors.affiliation: Sportsclinic Austria, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Westfaelian-Wilhelms University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Mirco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herbort
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch, Feldkirch, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abermann
authors.affiliation: Sportsclinic Austria, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoser