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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Outcomes for Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Versus Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone and Hamstring-Tendon Autografts

Dany Mouarbes, J. Menetrey, Vincent Marot, Louis Courtot, Émilie Bérard, E. Cavaignac

American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019

2,856 participants · 427 citations

Abstract

Background: Comprehensive studies evaluating quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are lacking. The optimal choice of graft between bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon (HT), and QT is still debatable. Hypothesis: The current literature supports the use of QT as a strong autograft with good outcomes when used in ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Ovid databases to identify published articles on clinical studies relevant to ACL reconstruction with QT autograft and studies comparing QT autograft versus BPTB and HT autografts. The results of the eligible studies were analyzed in terms of instrumented laxity measurements, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm score, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation committee (IKDC) scores, donor-site pain, and graft failure. Results: Twenty-seven clinical studies including 2856 patients with ACL reconstruction met the inclusion criteria. Comparison of 581 QT versus 514 BPTB autografts showed no significant differences in terms of instrumented mean side-to-side difference (P = .45), Lachman test (P = .76), pivot-shift test grade 0 (P = .23), pivot-shift test grade 0 or 1 (P = .85), mean Lysholm score (P = .1), mean subjective IKDC score (P = .36), or graft failure (P = .50). However, outcomes in favor of QT were found in terms of…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 2,856 participants or records.

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