Arthroscopic single- versus double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using hamstring autograft

This prospective study compared the clinical results of single- and double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. There were 35 patients including 19 single- and 16 double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using hamstring autograft. The average age was 29.4 +/- 13.6 years versus 28.2 +/- 10.4 years; and the average follow-up was 41.0 +/- 13.1 months versus 28.2 +/- 4.2 months for single- and double-bundle reconstruction, respectively. The indication for surgery was functional disability of the knee due to pain and instability as the result of high-energy PCL injury. The evaluation parameters included functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographs of the knee. The results showed no significant difference in functional assessment, ligament laxity, functional score and radiographic changes of the knee between the two techniques. The rate of overall satisfaction with the operation was comparable from patient and surgeon perspectives. Contrary to many recent reports, the results of this study showed that single- and double-bundle PCL reconstruction using hamstring autograft produced comparable clinical results in medium-term follow-up. The difference between single- and double-bundle PCL reconstruction, if any, can be concluded only with tong-term results and larger number of patients. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.