Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a porcine xenograft: a serologic, histologic, and biomechanical study in primates.

Purpose: This study proposes treatment methods to provide a mechanically competent, immunocompatible, and sterile porcine graft for human knee ligament reconstruction.

Methods: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was reconstructed by using treated porcine patellar tendon grafts or controls of untreated porcine grafts or allografts in 20 rhesus monkeys. Animals were stratified into 2-, 6-, and 12-month postreconstruction cohorts.