Allografts as alternative to autografts in primary posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Following posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture, autografts and allografts are routinely used for its reconstruction. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of allografts for primary PCL reconstruction, comparing them to autografts in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), functional tests, and complications. METHODS: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus were accessed in October 2022. All the clinical studies investigating the outcomes of primary PCL reconstruction using allografts, or comparing the outcomes of allografts versus autografts, were accessed. The outcomes of interests were: instrumental laxity, range of motion (ROM), Telos stress radiography, drawer test, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner Activity Scale, and the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. Data on complications were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients were included. The mean follow-up was 45.2 ± 23.8 months. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 ± 2.2 years. The time span between the injury and surgical intervention was 12.9 ± 10 months. Overall, 28% (125 of 445 patients) were women. Good baseline comparability was found between the two cohorts. No difference was found in terms of Lysholm Score, ROM, Tegner Scale, IKDC, arthrometer laxity, drawer test, and Telos stress radiography. No difference was found in the rates of anterior knee pain and revision. CONCLUSION: Allografts can be considered a suitable alternative to autografts for PCL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.