Use of the 5-Strand Hamstring Autograft Technique in Increasing Graft Size in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND

To determine the extent to which a strategy of routinely preparing a 5-strand hamstring autograft would increase graft size in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODS

A total of 64 patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled study comparing 5-strand and quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis autografts in single-bundle ACL reconstruction (5-strand group, n = 32; 4-strand group, n = 32). In the 5-strand group, the diameter of the 4-strand construct and the subsequent 5-strand graft used were measured, whereas in the 4-strand group, the diameter of the quadrupled graft used was measured. Quadrupled graft diameter and hamstring tendon lengths were correlated with patient gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

The mean diameter of the final graft used in the 5-strand group was 8.8 ± 0.8 mm, whereas that in the 4-strand group was 7.8 ± 0.7 mm (P < .001). The mean increase in graft size achieved with the use of the 5-strand technique was 1.4 ± 0.3 mm. In the 5-strand group, 24 of 32 (75%) patients had graft diameters exceeding 8 mm compared with 9 of 32 (28%) patients in the 4-strand group (P < .001). Quadrupled graft diameter was significantly correlated with patient height and BMI, whereas the gracilis and semitendinosus lengths were significantly correlated with patient height.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-strand hamstring autograft provides a significantly larger diameter graft compared with the quadrupled hamstring autograft in ACL reconstruction. Graft sizes exceeding 8 mm are achievable in 75% of patients with the routine application of this technique. This is significantly more than that obtained with the standard quadrupled hamstring graft. Hamstring tendon length and quadrupled hamstring graft diameter are also significantly correlated with patient height.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1, prospective randomized controlled trial.