Arthroscopic Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair With Suture Augmentation

Historically, poor results of open primary repair of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have been reported. In hindsight, however, appropriate patient selection (i.e. proximal tears and good tissue quality) was not performed, because it has recently been recognized that good outcomes of primary ACL repair are possible when selectively performed in patients with proximal tears and good tissue quality. Moreover, with modern-day advances, arthroscopic primary repair can be an excellent treatment option for patients with proximal tears. Preserving the native ACL has several advantages, including maintaining native proprioceptive function and biology. The procedure is also minimally invasive and prevents the need for formal ACL reconstruction. Recently, it has been suggested that additional suture augmentation of the primary repair technique may be beneficial for protecting ligament healing during early range of motion. In this Technical Note, we present the surgical technique of arthroscopic primary repair with suture augmentation for patients with proximal ACL tears

Arthroscopic Primary Posterior Cruciate Ligament Repair With Suture Augmentation

Isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are relatively rare and PCL injuries most commonly occur in the setting of multiligamentous knee injuries. PCL injuries can be treated with primary repair, which has the advantages of preserving the native tissue, maintaining proprioception, and minimal invasive surgery when compared with reconstruction surgery. Historically, primary repair of PCL injuries was performed in all tear types using an open approach, and, although the subjective outcomes were relatively good, patients often had residual laxity. Modern advances and increasing knowledge could improve the outcomes of PCL repair. With magnetic resonance imaging patients with proximal tears and sufficient tissue quality can be selected, and with arthroscopy and suture anchors minimal invasive surgery with direct fixation can be performed. Furthermore, with suture augmentation the healing of the repaired PCL can be protected and the residual laxity can be prevented. In this Technical Note, we describe the surgical technique of arthroscopic primary repair of proximal PCL tears with suture anchors and suture augmentation. The goal of arthroscopic primary repair is the preservation of the native PCL using a minimally invasive method and subsequent protection of this repair using suture augmentation

Arthroscopic Primary Repair of Proximal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

In a select group of patients with proximal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, primary repair can be a useful technique. Preservation of the native ACL may be advantageous for proprioceptive function and is thought to restore normal knee joint kinematics. The procedure is a less morbid and more conservative surgical approach to restore knee stability. Primary repair is preferably performed in the acute setting because of better healing capacity and tissue quality. We present the surgical technique of arthroscopic primary ACL repair with suture anchors in patients with proximal tears and excellent tissue quality

Role of Delay Between Injury and Surgery on the Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Outcomes of rotator cuff repair (RCR) are influenced by several well-described factors, but the role of delay from injury to surgery on the outcomes is not clear. Purpose: To assess the role of delay to surgery on the outcomes of RCR in the literature. Study Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. All studies assessing outcomes after RCR—either retear rates or patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)—and reporting delay to surgery were identified through June 2021 in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Inclusion criteria consisted of traumatic injuries, mean age 3 months after injury did not have significantly higher retear rates (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.5 to 3.1]; P =.700), lower Constant-Murley score (MD, −6.2 [95% CI, −16.4 to 4.1]; P =.240), or lower ASES score (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; MD, –12.9 [95% CI, −26.0 to −0.2]; P =.050) compared with those having surgery within 3 months. Similarly, delaying surgery for 6 months did not result in higher retear rates (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 0.8 to 3.7]; P =.190) or lower PROMs. Delaying surgery for 1 year, however, led to an increased likelihood of retear when compared with <1 year (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 2.1 to 4.0]; P <.001), and this was similar for the 2-year cutoff (OR, 5.9 [95% CI, 1.1 to 32.1]; P =.040). It was also noted that patients with an intact cuff at follow-up had a mean 3.9 months’ shorter time from injury to surgery than patients with retear (95% CI, 1.0-6.8 months; P =.009). Conclusion: This systematic review with meta-analysis found that delaying rotator cuff surgery for 3 to 6 months did not lead to higher retear rates or inferior PROMs as compared with undergoing earlier surgery. However, delaying surgery for ≥1 year clearly resulted in higher retear rates after RCR. This study is limited by relying on retrospective studies, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. Registration: CRD42021240720 (PROSPERO)

Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging following Arthroscopic Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair

Introduction. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in arthroscopic primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. To date, no studies have assessed the role of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the status and maturation of the repaired ligament. The goal of this study was therefore to assess (I) the accuracy of MRI on rerupture of the repaired ligament and (II) the maturation of the repaired ACL. Methods. All postoperative MRIs of patients that underwent arthroscopic primary ACL repair were included. A musculoskeletal radiologist, blinded for MRI indication, surgery-MRI time interval, and clinical stability, retrospectively assessed the ligament continuity and graded ligament maturation as hypointense (similar to intact PCL), isointense (>50% similar to PCL), or hyperintense (<50% similar to PCL). Results. Thirty-seven MRIs were included from 36 patients. Mean age was 30 years (range: 14–57 years), and mean surgery-MRI interval was 1.5 years (range: 0.1–4.9 years). The radiologist recognized 6 out of 8 reruptures and 26 out of 29 intact ligaments (sensitivity 75%, specificity 90%, and accuracy 86%). Ligaments in the first year were more often hyperintense than after one year (60% vs. 11%, p=0.02), most often isointense (60%) between one and two years, and more often hypointense after two years than before two years (56% vs. 10%, p=0.03). Conclusion. Postoperative MRI was found to accurately predict the rerupture of the primarily repaired ACL. Furthermore, it can be expected that the repaired ligament is hyperintense within the first year, while the signal becomes similar to the intact PCL after two years

Multiligament Repair With Suture Augmentation in a Knee Dislocation With Medial-Sided Injury

Knee dislocations often result in a severe multiligament injured knee (MLIK) with complex instability. Multiligament reconstruction can successfully restore knee stability and is commonly recommended, although surgical morbidity is induced by graft harvesting and tunnel drilling, and convergence of multiple tunnels can complicate the surgery. Therefore, as an alternative, primary repair of knee ligaments is currently reconsidered. The main advantages of primary repair consist of tissue preservation and decrease of surgical morbidity, which might improve knee functionality. Techniques in which avulsed ligaments are reapproximated to their anatomic origin have resulted in good clinical outcomes in selected patients over the past decade. More recently, repaired ligaments have been augmented with suture tape, to protect them from excessive stretch, which can improve healing and allows early rehabilitation. The surgical technique of primary repair in the multiligament injured knee has not yet been described. The purpose of this Technical Note is to explain suture augmented primary repair in KDIII-M injury, including the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and medial collateral ligament

Arthroscopic Primary Repair of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament With Single-Bundle Graft Augmentation

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in ligament preservation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that has the advantage of preserving the native tissue and maintaining proprioceptive function. Studies reporting outcomes of remnant-preserving ACL surgery have shown encouraging results with a higher potential for early healing and better functional outcomes compared with remnant-resecting surgery. Over the past decade, several surgical techniques for remnant preservation of the ACL have been proposed. In this technical note, the technique of primary ACL repair with graft augmentation is described. The goal of this technique is to preserve and tension the native tissue, thereby restoring the anatomy as much as possible while avoiding cyclops lesions, whereas the additional graft provides strength to the repaired ligament

Primary Repair of the Lateral Collateral Ligament Using Additional Suture Augmentation

Injuries to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) most commonly occur with concomitant cruciate ligament tears. Over the past decade, there has been increased interest in anatomic reconstruction of the posterolateral corner (PLC). Not much attention has been paid to anatomic primary LCL repair given the historically high failure rates of primary repair of lateral sided knee ligaments, but better outcomes can now be expected because of recent developments in additional suture augmentation. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the surgical technique of primary distal LCL repair using suture augmentation. Using this procedure, the native ligament is preserved while allowing early mobilization as suture augmentation is protective of the repaired ligament

Laser treatment of specific scar characteristics in hypertrophic scars and keloid: A systematic review

Background: Hypertrophic scarring and keloid can cause significant emotional and physical discomfort. Cosmetic appearance, functional limitations, pain and pruritus form a degree of impairment. While the etiology is not fully known, there is a wide array of treatment options, which include excision, radiation, cryotherapy, silicone gel sheeting, and intralesional injections. A relatively new modality is laser therapy. While results are promising, the number of different laser systems is substantial. This review evaluates the available evidence regarding outcomes on specific objective characteristics (i.e., erythema, pigmentation, height, and pliability) of the different laser systems. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. Data on scar characteristics were extracted from scar scales Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and from objective measurement tools. Results: Heterogeneity was seen in a lot of aspects: maturity of scar, origin of scar, follow-up, and number of treatments. The fractional ablative lasers CO2 10,600 nm and Er:YAG 2940 nm were found to produce the best results regarding erythema, height, and pliability, while the flash lamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (PDL) 585 nm scored slightly below that. Conclusions: Laser systems, and specifically the fractional ablative lasers CO2 and Er:YAG, improved various characteristics of excessive scarring. An overview of preferred laser modality per scar characteristic is presented. Accounting for the methodological quality and the level of evidence of the data, future research in the form of randomized trials with comparable standardized scar scales is needed to confirm these results