The horizontal Y-shaped graft with respective graft tension angles in anatomical two-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Various techniques for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction have been described with two bundles of graft tensioned simultaneously. The present study was to introduce an anatomical reconstruction procedure using a horizontal Y-shaped graft with respective graft tension angles and report the preliminary results. A surgical technique for MPFL reconstruction using a horizontal Y-shaped semitendinosus tendon autograft with two bundles tensioned at 0A degrees and 30A degrees of knee flexion was described in detail. The patellar stability was evaluated with the apprehension test and an axial computed tomography (CT) scan at 30A degrees of knee flexion. The knee function was evaluated using the Lysholm and Kujala scores. No recurrent dislocation or subluxation was reported for 45 patients at a mean of 33.7-month follow-up. On CT images, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, lateral patellar angle and lateral displacement were restored to the normal range. At the last follow-up, the mean Lysholm score improved from 51.8 +/- A 6.2 to 91.7 +/- A 4.1 and mean Kujala score was from 53.4 +/- A 5.3 to 90.9 +/- A 6.6 (P < 0.01). The present anatomical MPFL reconstruction technique with a horizontal Y-shaped two-bundle graft tensioned at respective knee flexion angles could not only recreate the fan-shape of MPFL but also mimic the function bundles of native ligament. Clinical follow-up confirms the good restoration of the patellar stability and significant improvement of knee function without special complications.