A retrospective comparison of the incidence of bacterial infection following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autograft versus allograft.

Purpose: To compare the incidence of bacterial infection in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autograft versus allograft.

Methods: We completed a retrospective medical record review of ACL reconstructions performed at our institutions between 2001 and 2005. These included 170 autograft, 628 allograft, and 3 combined autograft/allograft reconstructions.