Prediction of length and diameter of hamstring tendon autografts for knee ligament surgery in Caucasians

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Prediction of hamstring tendon autograft size facilitates preoperative planning of knee ligament surgery and may reduce the need for allografts in complex knee reconstructions. The aim of this study was to analyze whether length and diameter of hamstring tendon autografts can be predicted pre-operatively with anthropometric parameters and patient characteristics.

Methods: In this observational study, 725 consecutive Caucasian patients scheduled for ACL reconstruction were included. Pre-operatively gender, age, height and weight were recorded. After harvest, tendon lengths of both gracilis- and semitendinosus tendons were measured. Diameter of the final four-strand hamstring autograft was recorded. Relationship between length and diameter of tendon grafts and different anthropometric parameters were assed by linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results: Mean lengths of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autografts were 28.9 ± 3.1 cm and 27.7 ± 3.0 cm respectively. Length of the gracilis and semitendinosus grafts was independently related to patient height. Female gender was correlated with smaller graft diameter. One in nine female patients had a diameter < 8 mm. The ratio in men was 1 in 36.

Conclusion: Hamstring autograft length and size can be predicted in Caucasians. Length of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons was related to patient height. Smaller graft diameter was related to female gender.

Keywords: hamstring; tendon; autograft; length; diameter; knee ligament reconstruction

Level of Evidence: II

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