BACKGROUND

Bioabsorbable interference screws tend to have high resorption rates after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction; however, no studies have examined screws composed of 30% biphasic calcium phosphate and 70% poly-d-lactide (30% BCP/70% PLDLA).

PURPOSE

To evaluate femoral and tibial tunnel widening and resorption of 30% BCP/70% PLDLA interference screws and replacement with bone at 2 to 5 years after ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Included were 20 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft and were reevaluated 2 to 5 years after surgery using computed tomography scans. Tunnel measurements were obtained from computed tomography scans in the sagittal and coronal planes and were compared with known tunnel measurements based on operative reports. These images and measurements were used to assess tunnel widening, resorption of the 30% BCP/70% PLDLA screw, its replacement with bone, and possible cyst formation. Paired tests were used to compare initial and final femoral and tibial tunnel measurements.

RESULTS

The cross-sectional area of the femoral tunnel decreased at the aperture ( = .03), middle ( = .0002), and exit ( < .0001) of the tunnel compared with the initial femoral tunnel size, and the tibial tunnel cross-sectional area decreased at the aperture ( < .0001) and exit ( = .01) of the tunnel compared with the initial tibial tunnel size. Bone formation was observed in 100% of femoral tunnels and 94.7% of tibial tunnels. Screw resorption was 100% in the femur and 94.7% in the tibia at the final follow-up. Cysts were noted around the femoral tunnel in 2 patients (5.1%).

CONCLUSION

The 30% BCP/70% PLDLA interference screws used for ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft had high rates of resorption and replacement with bone, and there were no increases in tunnel size at 2 to 5 years postoperatively. The authors observed a low rate of cyst formation and no other adverse events stemming from the use of this specific biointerference screw, suggesting that this type of screw is a reasonable option for graft fixation with minimal unfavorable events and a reliable resorption profile.