Prospective clinical comparisons of anatomic double-bundle versus single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction procedures in 328 consecutive patients.

Background: Several trials have been conducted to compare the clinical results between anatomic double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures. In these studies, however, the number of patients was insufficient to compare the clinical results of the 2 procedures.

Hypothesis: The anatomic double-bundle procedure may be significantly better concerning the anterior laxity and the pivot-shift test than the single-bundle procedure, while there may be no significant differences in the other clinical evaluations and the intra-operative and postoperative complications between the 2 procedures.

Effects of separate application of three growth factors (TGF-beta1, EGF, and PDGF-BB) on mechanical properties of the in situ frozen-thawed anterior cruciate ligament.

Objective: To clarify effects of a separate application of TGF-beta1, EGF, and PDGF-BB on the material properties of the in situ frozen-thawed anterior cruciate ligament.

Design: Twenty-eight rabbits were divided into four groups after undergoing the in situ freeze-thaw treatment in the right anterior cruciate ligament. In 3 of the 4 groups, 4 ng TGF-beta1, 20 ng EGF, and 4 microg PDGF-BB was applied to the frozen anterior cruciate ligament, respectively.

Timing of administration of transforming growth factor-beta and epidermal growth factor influences the effect on material properties of the in situ frozen-thawed anterior cruciate ligament.

One of the future goals in ligament reconstruction is to prevent graft deterioration after transplantation. The aim of this study is to clarify whether an administration of TGF-beta1 and EGF significantly affect biomechanical properties of the in situ frozen-thawed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an ACL autograft model, and to elucidate whether the timing of this administration may influence its effect. Rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups after the freeze-thaw treatment with liquid nitrogen was applied to the right knee.

Effects of combined administration of transforming growth factor-beta1 and epidermal growth factor on properties of the in situ frozen anterior cruciate ligament in rabbits.

The mechanical properties of tendon autografts used in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are reduced after surgery. Previous studies showed that growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) can stimulate fibroblast proliferation and increase collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis by these cells. These factors might be useful, therefore, in preventing graft deterioration after transplantation or accelerating mechanical restoration of the deteriorated graft.