Laser-guided transtibial technique improved single-bundle reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament

BACKGROUND: The transtibial tunnel technique achieves equal length reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This study aimed to investigate whether transtibial tunnel technique can achieve anatomical reconstruction of ACL. METHODS: For 25 corpses, the anterior soft tissue of the knee joint was detached so that the ligamentous surface was fully exposed, then the knee joint was fixed at 90° with an external fixator and the anterior cruciate ligament was removed. Double-sided laser technology was used to establish spatial conformation of ACL. RESULTS: The male to female ratio of the subjects was 19:6, with an average age of 59.52 ± 11.13 years. Patellar tendon length was 35.23 ± 5.10 mm, tibial eminence length and width was 15.75 ± 2.44 and 7.80 ± 1.28 mm, respectively, and femoral attachment length and width was 15.40 ± 2.17 and 8.97 ± 1.61 mm, respectively. When the flexion turned 90°, the tibial tunnel length was 31.83 ± 4.09 mm and the distance to the tibial plateau, patellar tendon, and medial collateral ligament was 16.33 ± 4.56, 10.79 ± 5.85, and 23.12 ± 5.99 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With the aid of double-sided laser technology, transtibial tunnel technique can safely achieve single-bundle reconstruction of ACL.