CC2023: Closure of the Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Harvest Site for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review (July 2023)-Closure of the Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Harvest Site for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review (June 2023)

Closure of the Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Harvest Site for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review (June 2023)

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Pdf Summary

A systematic review of 13 studies was conducted to examine the closure of the quadriceps tendon (QT) harvest site in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using a QT autograft. The studies included a total of 650 patients who underwent ACLR with a QT autograft. The mean patient age was 31 years, and the mean follow-up was 21.2 months. Among the included studies, 62% reported the use of a bony QT autograft and 38% reported the use of a soft tissue QT autograft. The length of the harvested QT autograft was most commonly 7 to 8 cm, and the tendon width harvested was 10 mm. Closure of the QT autograft harvest site was inconsistently reported in the studies, with only 62% mentioning closure. The surgical technique for closure varied when reported. Good to excellent clinical outcomes were reported in 80% of patients when the harvest site was closed. Complications were rare but could include reruptures, infections, patellar fractures, and stiffness. The review concluded that there is no consensus on whether the QT defect should be closed after harvesting the graft for ACLR, and it is unclear if there is a difference in outcomes based on the closure technique used. Future studies should further investigate the biomechanical and clinical advantages of closing the QT autograft harvest site.

Keywords

systematic review

quadriceps tendon

QT harvest site

anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

ACLR

QT autograft

patient outcomes

surgical technique

complications

closure technique