Average Thickness of the Four Folded Hamstring Tendons Which we Use in ACL Reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the average thickness of 4 folded hamstring tendons (autograft) which we used on our patients who had tendon reconstruction because of ACB rapture diagnostic. METHODS: Between the dates of January 2009 and December 2013, patients who had tendon reconstruction with hamstring autograft because of ACB rapture diagnostic were evaluated retrospectively in Yıldırım Beyazıt University Ankara Atatürk Training And Research Hospital – Orthopaedics and Trauma Clinic. 258 patients who had 4 folded hamstring tendon which was prefered usually, were included into the study but 26 patients were not included into the study who had different autograft applications and direct allografts usages. RESULTS: 242 of the 258 patiens who were included into the study were males and remaining 16 were females. Average age was 28.7 (14-52). The average thickness of the 4 folded hamstring tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons) of the patients was observed as 7.9mm (6-10mm). The tendon thickness of 47 patients were measured below 7mm. For those patients, the tendon thickness was increased by combining allografts with autografts. CONCLUSION: The average thickness of the 4 folded hamstring tendons what we have used was 7.9mm. By considering the average graft thickness, it may be beneficial to make the planing by thinking about different configurations or keeping allografts ready for the cases which may require thicker grafts.