Date of Award

8-2021

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Ryane Lester

Abstract

Background: The literature surrounding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) exhibits the most commonly used grafts for a ruptured ACL are bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts, quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts, hamstring tendon (HT) autografts, and allografts. This paper was designed to compare the postoperative outcomes between autografts and allografts to determine which graft is superior.

Methods: A literature review of studies were searched and selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria using Augsburg University Interlibrary loan system, PubMed, and Elsivier.

Results: The research demonstrates superior outcomes for autografts compared to allografts. Additionally, the research delineates outcomes based on the type of autograft used in ACLR. The literature describes BPTB autografts as having decreased laxity and failure rates compared to other autografts. The literature also suggests specific indications for autografts and allografts. Autografts have demonstrated decreased rates of graft failure and laxity, and are associated with better postoperative functional outcomes. Autografts are the graft of choice for younger, more active patients, but have been associated with increased donor-site morbidity including hamstring weakness, anterior knee pain, and hypoesthesia. Allografts are associated with increased laxity and graft failure, but are noted to have better subjective outcomes based on less donor-site morbidity.

Conclusion: Overall, autografts have been validated to be the superior graft choice when it comes to laxity and failure rates for younger and more active patients, but allografts have their own indications for older, less active patients looking to maintain knee function without risking the complications associated with autograft harvest.

Identifier

SC 11.PAS.2021.Karo.A

Share

COinS