[Late results of plastic surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint using a lavsan endoprosthesis].

In 1964-1986 774 reconstruction-and-restoration operations for injuries of the bursal and ligamental apparatus of the knee joint were performed, in 588 of this number lavsan endoprostheses were used. Clinical and roentgenologic analysis of the long-term results of endoprosthetics of the anterior cruciate ligament was made in 72 patients with a follow-up period of 10-23 years. The results were good in 54 patients (75%) satisfactory in 8 patients (11.1%) and not satisfactory in 10 patients (13.9%). In 28 of 31 patients with a follow-up period of 20 years and more the results were good. When the operation technique is observed, lavsan vascular endoprostheses and bands may remain and function as the cruciate ligaments of the knee joints for over 2 decades. The long-term results in such cases exceed those after the traditional auto- and alloplasties.