Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique

Background: Revision posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) is challenging, especially in existing semi-anatomic tunnels, whereas there is an increased risk of overlapping with a new positioned anatomic tunnel. Few cases were published with no consensus regarding the optimal operative tec...

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Main Authors: Dani Mouarbes MD, Thomas Ripoll MD, Nicolas Vari MD, Nicolas Lunel MD, Vincent Marot MD, Etienne Cavaignac MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2023-08-01
Series:Video Journal of Sports Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254231180634
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author Dani Mouarbes MD
Thomas Ripoll MD
Nicolas Vari MD
Nicolas Lunel MD
Vincent Marot MD
Etienne Cavaignac MD, PhD
author_facet Dani Mouarbes MD
Thomas Ripoll MD
Nicolas Vari MD
Nicolas Lunel MD
Vincent Marot MD
Etienne Cavaignac MD, PhD
author_sort Dani Mouarbes MD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Revision posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) is challenging, especially in existing semi-anatomic tunnels, whereas there is an increased risk of overlapping with a new positioned anatomic tunnel. Few cases were published with no consensus regarding the optimal operative technique. Indications: A 22-year-old male patient, with failed PCLR with hamstring autograft in 2020 due to improper tunnels placement, presented for pain and instability of his right knee. Physical examination revealed a positive posterior drawer and reverse Pivot-Shift test, with no varus-valgus or rotational laxity. Radiograph showed no signs of arthritis, normal tibial slope, and normal long-leg standing axis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed rupture of the PCL graft with no meniscal, chondral, or concomitant ligament injuries. Technique Description: We described a single-bundle transtibial technique with a posterior transeptal portal approach to reconstruct the PCL. We started by preparing the allograft with an internal brace augmentation and an adjustable button (Arthrex) placed on the femoral side for cortical fixation. The old semi-anatomical femoral tunnel was drilled and grafted using an allograft bone dowel (Biobank), and a new anatomic femoral tunnel was drilled inside-out. Under direct visualization via posterior transeptal portals, a new anatomic tibial tunnel was drilled posterior to the existing nonanatomic tunnel. Using a shuttle suture, the transplant was passed and fixed by an adjustable button at the femur and by two interference screws and a backup fixation using a Swive-lock anchor at the tibia (Arthrex). Results: Favorable functional and clinical outcomes with improvement of anteroposterior stability. Significant improved side-to-side differences on posterior stress radiography and improved subjective and objective clinical scores. Satisfactory outcomes with 75% of patients returned to preinjury Tegner activity scale level of function. Discussion/Conclusion: The use of the posterior transeptal portals approach protects the vital neurovascular structures and ensures proper PCL tibial tunnel placement by providing direct visualization of the tibial attachment. Allograft bone dowels facilitate PCL revision in a one-stage procedure by filling the existing semi-anatomic tunnels and allowing to drill the new anatomic tunnels without tunnel overlap. The use of the internal brace augmentation strengthens the construct to protect the graft during the revascularization and remodeling process by facilitating tissue ingrowth and incorporation. In revision surgery, backup fixation is encouraged and often essential due to the compromised bone stock. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
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spelling doaj.art-74076120290e4e6098b4bb936978493a2023-08-29T08:23:43ZengSAGE PublishingVideo Journal of Sports Medicine2635-02542023-08-01310.1177/26350254231180634Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction TechniqueDani Mouarbes MD0Thomas Ripoll MD1Nicolas Vari MD2Nicolas Lunel MD3Vincent Marot MD4Etienne Cavaignac MD, PhD5Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre-Paul Riquet Hospital, Toulouse, FranceBackground: Revision posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) is challenging, especially in existing semi-anatomic tunnels, whereas there is an increased risk of overlapping with a new positioned anatomic tunnel. Few cases were published with no consensus regarding the optimal operative technique. Indications: A 22-year-old male patient, with failed PCLR with hamstring autograft in 2020 due to improper tunnels placement, presented for pain and instability of his right knee. Physical examination revealed a positive posterior drawer and reverse Pivot-Shift test, with no varus-valgus or rotational laxity. Radiograph showed no signs of arthritis, normal tibial slope, and normal long-leg standing axis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed rupture of the PCL graft with no meniscal, chondral, or concomitant ligament injuries. Technique Description: We described a single-bundle transtibial technique with a posterior transeptal portal approach to reconstruct the PCL. We started by preparing the allograft with an internal brace augmentation and an adjustable button (Arthrex) placed on the femoral side for cortical fixation. The old semi-anatomical femoral tunnel was drilled and grafted using an allograft bone dowel (Biobank), and a new anatomic femoral tunnel was drilled inside-out. Under direct visualization via posterior transeptal portals, a new anatomic tibial tunnel was drilled posterior to the existing nonanatomic tunnel. Using a shuttle suture, the transplant was passed and fixed by an adjustable button at the femur and by two interference screws and a backup fixation using a Swive-lock anchor at the tibia (Arthrex). Results: Favorable functional and clinical outcomes with improvement of anteroposterior stability. Significant improved side-to-side differences on posterior stress radiography and improved subjective and objective clinical scores. Satisfactory outcomes with 75% of patients returned to preinjury Tegner activity scale level of function. Discussion/Conclusion: The use of the posterior transeptal portals approach protects the vital neurovascular structures and ensures proper PCL tibial tunnel placement by providing direct visualization of the tibial attachment. Allograft bone dowels facilitate PCL revision in a one-stage procedure by filling the existing semi-anatomic tunnels and allowing to drill the new anatomic tunnels without tunnel overlap. The use of the internal brace augmentation strengthens the construct to protect the graft during the revascularization and remodeling process by facilitating tissue ingrowth and incorporation. In revision surgery, backup fixation is encouraged and often essential due to the compromised bone stock. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254231180634
spellingShingle Dani Mouarbes MD
Thomas Ripoll MD
Nicolas Vari MD
Nicolas Lunel MD
Vincent Marot MD
Etienne Cavaignac MD, PhD
Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
Video Journal of Sports Medicine
title Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
title_full Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
title_fullStr Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
title_full_unstemmed Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
title_short Revision Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Technique
title_sort revision posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction technique
url https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254231180634
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