Tibial graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: multiple tibial tunnel technique (collateral tunnel technique).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture who underwent tibial fixation using the multiple tibial tunnel fixation (MTTF) and standard tibial fixation methods.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2020, and August 1, 2021. MTTT was applied to 43 patients diagnosed with ACL rupture. Of the 43 patients who met the study criteria, 38 were classified as Group 1. In the clinic where the study was conducted, 40 of 57 patients who underwent standard ACL reconstruction by opening a single tibial tunnel were assigned to Group 2. The Endobutton technique was used for fixation of the graft to the femur in both groups. Bioabsorbable and postfix screws were used for the tibial fixation of the patients in Group 2. For patients in Group 1, a bioabsorbable screw, a postfix screw, and an additional MTTT fixation were performed for tibial fixation. Lachman, anterior drawer, Pivot-Shift test results, Lysholm and IKDC knee evaluation scores of the patients in both groups were compared.

RESULTS

In this study, there was no significant difference between the groups for the anterior drawer, Lachman, and Pivot-Shift test results at the final control (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups for the Lysholm and IKDC scores at the final controls (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the Lysholm and IKDC scores between the groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, ACL reconstruction was performed using the MTTF technique in this study. Due to the additional fixation, it was observed that the patients had a more successful knee function after the surgery.