title: Anatomical reference point for harvesting a flexor graft during arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of a vascular network adjacent to the insertion of the pes anserinus, so that it could be used as an anatomical reference point to facilitate harvesting flexor grafts for arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with ACL tears who were going to undergo ACL reconstruction using the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles as grafts were selected randomly. During the harvesting of these tendons, the presence or absence of this anatomical reference point was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients presented a vascular network of greater or lesser diameter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The vascular network seems to be a good reference point during harvesting of the tendons of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles, for facilitating graft harvesting.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clécio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Lima Lopes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Victor Lapenda
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dilamar Moreira
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Carvalho Krause
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Romeu Krause, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Romeu Carvalho Krause
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Tendons/anatomy and histology; Tendons/transplantation