PURPOSE: Morphologic and histologic comparison of patella and hamstring tendon grafts. METHODS: Hamstring tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis) and patellar tendons were taken from 20 cadaveric knees and were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril/interstitum ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of the collagen fibrils were analyzed. RESULTS: The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons provide 20% and 30% more fibril/interstitum ratio compared with the patella tendon (P = .0056 and .0028). Also, the density of fibroblasts was 50% and 35% more (P = .0061 and .0050). No differences regarding the thickness of the collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of the fibrils were found. CONCLUSIONS: Both semitendinous and gracilis tendons provide significantly more density of collagen fibrils as well as density of fibroblasts in comparison with patellar tendons. These findings provide a potential advantage of the hamstrings group on better remodelling and regeneration of the tissue. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These grafts have been used as autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Despite the interest on these tendons, their microscopic structure has not been sufficiently investigated yet.
PURPOSE: Morphologic and histologic comparison of patella and hamstring tendon grafts. METHODS: Hamstring tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis) and patellar tendons were taken from 20 cadaveric knees and were investigated by using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril/interstitum ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of the collagen fibrils were analyzed. RESULTS: The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons provide 20% and 30% more fibril/interstitum ratio compared with the patella tendon (P = .0056 and .0028). Also, the density of fibroblasts was 50% and 35% more (P = .0061 and .0050). No differences regarding the thickness of the collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of the fibrils were found. CONCLUSIONS: Both semitendinous and gracilis tendons provide significantly more density of collagen fibrils as well as density of fibroblasts in comparison with patellar tendons. These findings provide a potential advantage of the hamstrings group on better remodelling and regeneration of the tissue. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These grafts have been used as autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Despite the interest on these tendons, their microscopic structure has not been sufficiently investigated yet.
Authors: T Wehrhahn; M Ettinger; M Petri; E Liodakis; C Hurschler; U-V Albrecht; C Krettek; M Jagodzinski Journal: Unfallchirurg Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 1.000
Authors: Alexandre Carneiro Bitar; Luiz Augusto Ubirajara Santos; Alberto Tesconi Croci; João Alberto Ramos Maradei Pereira; Edgard N França Bisneto; Arlete Mazzini Miranda Giovani; Claudia Regina G C M Oliveira Journal: Clinics (Sao Paulo) Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 2.365
Authors: Martina Åhlén; Mattias Lidén; Tomas Movin; Nikos Papadogiannakis; Lars Rostgård-Christensen; Jüri Kartus Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2014-09-22