Journal List > Korean J Sports Med > v.31(2) > 1054507

Choi, Lee, Lee, Hwang, Cho, and Kang: Preoperative Prediction for Length of Patellar Tendon in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft

Abstract

Preoperative prediction of patellar tendon length is important during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft. Three methods of imaging analysis to predict patellar tendon length were compared in this study. One hundred and twenty-three patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft by single surgeon during October 2002 through April 2011 were included. We measured the patellar tendon length from true and oblique lateral simple radiographs (classified according to degree of rotation) and magnetic resonance image (MRI). These values were compared with actual length measured during operation and assessed accuracy by calculating the coefficient of determination. The mean length of patellar tendon measured during operation and by true lateral and oblique lateral radiographs and MRI were 42.4±0.45 mm (range, 32.0–54.0 mm), 41.7±0.61 mm (range, 24.2–55.3 mm), 40.7±0.57 mm (range, 24.8–51.5 mm), and 41.7±0.52 mm (range, 28.7–56.0 mm), respectively. The correlation of patellar tendon length was the most strong between actual length and value from true lateral radiograph (coefficient of determination, r2=0.660) according to simple linear regression analysis. R2 values were 0.361 and 0.332 for oblique lateral radiograph and MRI compared to actual value, respectively. In conclusion, Patellar tendon length measured on true lateral radiograph was the best method to coincide with actual patellar tendon length among various preoperative prediction methods.

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Fig. 1.
The patellar tendon length was measured with ruler intraoperatively.
kjsm-31-55f1.tif
Fig. 2.
The patellar tendon length was measured on both true lateral (A) and oblique lateral (B) radiograph. Oblique lateral radiograph was defined when there was distance over 5 mm (left right arrow) between medial and lateral posterior condyles.
kjsm-31-55f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Proton density weighted sagittal magnetic resonance image demonstrate the measurement of patellar tendon length which is measured the inner aspect of patellar tendon from inferior pole to tibial tuberosity.
kjsm-31-55f3.tif
Fig. 4.
The relationship between intraoperative and true lateral radiograph was most proportional, but between intraoperative and oblique lateral, magnetic resonance image (MRI) was less. The correlations between intraoperative data and the length from (A) X-ray including true lateral and oblique lateral view. (B) True lateral X-ray view. (C) Oblique lateral X-ray view, and (D) MRI view were drawn.
kjsm-31-55f4.tif
Table 1.
The patellar tendon length measured with various methods
Variables Cases (n) Mean±standard deviation (mm) Range (mm)
Intraoperative measurement 123 42.4±0.45 32.0−54.0
True lateral measurement 74 41.7±0.61 24.2−55.3
Oblique lateral measurement 49 40.7±0.57 24.8−51.5
Magnetic resonance image measurement 123 41.7±0.52 28.7−56.0
Table 2.
The simple linear regression analysis between patellar tendon lengths measured during operation and preoperative prediction methods
Variables Correlation coefficients (r) Coefficient of determination (r2) Constant Regression coefficient p-value
Lateral measurement 0.736 0.542 17.81 0.602 0.000
True lateral measurement 0.812 0.660 15.510 0.656 0.000
Oblique lateral measurement 0.601 0.361 21.763 0.508 0.000
Magnetic resonance image measurement 0.576 0.332 21.548 0.500 0.000
Table 3.
Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients value)
Variables True lateral radiograph Oblique lateral radiograph Magnetic resonance image
Inter-observer reliability      
   Observer 1 0.852 0.849 0.850
   Observer 2 0.867 0.853 0.832
   Mean 0.860 0.851 0.841
Intra-observer reliability      
   1st reading 0.901 0.899 0.894
   2nd reading 0.911 0.887 0.865
   Mean 0.906 0.893 0.880
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