Iatrogenic lateral meniscus anterior horn injury in different tibial tunnel placement techniques in ACL reconstruction surgery – A cadaveric study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of tibial tunnel positioning in single bundle and double bundle ACL reconstructions on lateral meniscus anterior root. MATERIALS: Twelve single knee cadavers were used, 6 for a single bundle ACL reconstruction, which were reamed gradually starting from 8 mm, 9 mm and ended with a 10 mm reamers, while the other 6 were prepared for a double bundle ACL reconstruction in which 7 mm reamer for the AM tunnel and 6 mm reamer for the PL tunnel were used. After drilling, changes of lengths and thicknesses of anterior horns of the lateral menisci were recorded. RESULTS: Before drilling, the groups were homogenous for the lateral menisci dimensions. After drilling, no statistically significant difference was noticed between the two groups. However, in single bundle group, 2 anterior horns width injury (1.44 mm and 2.13 mm) with the 9 mm reamer and 3 anterior horns width injury (2.51 mm, 3.55 mm and 4.28 mm) with the 10 mm reamer were recorded. However in double bundle group a single anterior horn width injury (2.82 mm) was recorded. CONCLUSION: Using a greater size reamer in single bundle reconstruction, causes a relatively higher risk of lateral meniscal anterior root injury. Lateral meniscus stability should be examined arthroscopically after reaming with large reamers.