[Treatment of fresh and aged cruciate ligament ruptures with combined autologous and alloplastic reinforced tendon transplant (polypropylene ligament)].

After discussing basic problems in repair and reconstruction of acute as well as secondary anterior cruciate ligament-lesions authors present a modified Kennedy-MacIntosh technique of acl-reconstruction. Temporary compensation of loss in tensile strength of the autograft (quadriceps-patellar-tendon) is achieved by an 8 mm Polypropylene band with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics. "Biological fixation" of the distal part of the tendon-graft avoids "stress shielding" and physiological applied stress may lead to remodeling and structuring in the sense of functional adaptation. Acute acl-ruptures are sutured or reinserted and treated with fibrine-tissue-glue. Furthermore a semitendinosus-autograft combined with a 6 mm Polypropylene band is added. Details of the operations-procedure are presented as well as steps in postoperative treatment. Early results and complications are finally discussed.