METHODS: This is a prospective, randomised double-blinded study whereby thirty consecutive patients who underwent single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autografts were recruited. The patients were randomly assigned to the stump preservation group (14 patients) or conventional group (16 patients). magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation was performed preoperatively and at 6-months postoperatively.
RESULTS: At 6-months follow-up, MRI evaluations showed a higher percentage of insertion of regenerated semitendinosus and gracilis at the pes anserinus in the stump preservation group (75.0%) than that in the conventional group (68.8%). There was significantly higher proximal shift of musculotendinous junction of semitendinosus (5.70 cm versus 3.36 cm, p = 0.029) and gracilis (5.28 cm versus 3.16 cm, p = 0.045) in the conventional group postoperatively.
CONCLUSION: The stump preservation technique yields higher percentage of anatomical insertion of regenerated tendons and lesser amount of proximal shift of musculotendinous junction.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III - Prospective study with up to two negative criteria.