[Surgical treatment of recent severe sprains of the knee. Does the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee merit suturing?].

The authors have reviewed 62 cases of acute ligamentous injury of the knee, all surgically treated. They emphasize the importance of good co-ordination of muscles and ligaments in the function of the knee. The menisci should be preserved wherever possible. Direct suture of the anterior cruciate ligament gives poor results (20 per cent successful). They recommend immediate transplantation of a hamstring (semi-tendinosus) tendon by the Lindeman's technique. They conclude that the anterior cruciate ligament should not be sutured. In three cases it was resected with good results.