Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Volume 27, Issue 5 , Pages 717-727, May 2011

All-Inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft-Link Technique: Second-Generation, No-Incision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

  • James H. Lubowitz, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Taos Orthopaedic Institute Research Foundation, Taos, New Mexico
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to James H. Lubowitz, M.D., Taos Orthopaedic Institute Research Foundation, 1219-A Gusdorf Rd, Taos, NM 87571, U.S.A.
  • ,
  • Christopher H. Amhad, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Columbia University, New York, New York
  • ,
  • Kyle Anderson, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.A.

Received 18 November 2010; accepted 3 February 2011.

Abstract 

We describe an anatomic, single-bundle, all-inside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft-link technique using second-generation Flipcutter guide pins (Arthrex, Naples, FL), which become retrograde drills, and second-generation cortical suspensory fixation devices with adjustable graft loop length: femoral TightRope (Arthrex) and tibial ACL TightRope–Reverse Tension (Arthrex). The technique is minimally invasive using only four 4-mm stab incisions. Graft choice is no-incision allograft or gracilis-sparing, posteriorly harvested semitendinosus material. The graft is sutured 4 times through each strand in a loop and linked, like a chain, to femoral and tibial adjustable TightRope graft loops. With this method, graft tension can be increased even after graft fixation. The technique may be modified for double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

 

 J.H.L. received royalties and consults, along with C.H.A. and K.A., for Arthrex, Naples, Florida.

 

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PII: S0749-8063(11)00130-7

doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2011.02.008

Refers to erratum:

  • Erratum

    Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery October 2011 (Vol. 27, Issue 10, Page 1452)

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Volume 27, Issue 5 , Pages 717-727, May 2011