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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

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01-06-2013 | Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine

Technique of anatomical footprint reconstruction of the ACL with oval tunnels and medial portal aimers

Authors: Wolf Petersen, Philipp Forkel, Andrea Achtnich, Sebastian Metzlaff, Thore Zantop

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 6/2013

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article was to demonstrate an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique using oval tunnels. Aim of this single bundle technique is to fit the footprint anatomy of the ACL as closely as possible.

Technique and patients

The presented technique is a single bundle technique using a semitendinosus graft. For femoral tunnel placement, a specific medial portal aimer (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) is used. Aiming and drilling of the femoral tunnel are performed via the medial portal. Oval tunnels are created by stepwise dilatation with ovally shaped dilatators. The position of the femoral tunnel is visualized and controlled with the arthroscope via the medial portal. For the tibial tunnel placement, a specific aimer was used as well. With this technique, 24 patients were operated and all intra- and postoperative complications were analyzed prospectively. The tunnel position was documented postoperatively by CT scan.

Results

There were no significant intra- and postoperative complications associated with the oval tunnel technique. The postoperative 3D CT scan revealed that all femoral and tibial tunnels were located within the area of the anatomical ACL insertions.

Conclusions

This article presents an ACL reconstruction technique using oval dilatators and medial portal aimers to create oval tunnels. These oval tunnels match the insertion site anatomy much closer than round tunnels do.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, case series.

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Title: Technique of anatomical footprint reconstruction of the ACL with oval tunnels and medial portal aimers
Authors: Wolf Petersen
Philipp Forkel
Andrea Achtnich
Sebastian Metzlaff
Thore Zantop
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1741-6

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Technique of anatomical footprint reconstruction of the ACL with oval tunnels and medial portal aimers

Abstract

Purpose

Technique and patients

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Technique and patients

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

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