1. Quadriceps Tendon Graft Anatomy in the Skeletally Immature Patient.
- Author
-
Shea KG, Burlile JF, Richmond CG, Ellis HB, Wilson PL, Fabricant PD, Mayer S, Stavinoha T, Troyer S, Dingel AB, and Ganley TJ
- Abstract
Background: The quadriceps tendon (QT) is increasingly considered for primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, as it may be harvested as a purely soft tissue graft with considerable tissue volume. Because of distinct rectus tendon (RT) separation from the QT complex, the potential for RT retraction exists and could lead to QT weakness after QT graft harvest., Purpose: To describe the anatomy of the pediatric QT and clarify decussation of the RT and QT to avoid the risk of delayed RT retraction and QT weakness after QT graft harvest., Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study., Methods: Nine cadaveric knee specimens (aged 4-11 years) underwent gross dissection. Coronal-plane width and depth of the QT were measured at intervals proximal to the superior pole of the patella at distances of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 times the length of the patella. The distance was measured from the superior patellar pole to the point of RT separation from the remainder of the deeper/posterior QT., Results: The median patellar length was 28 mm (interquartile range, 26-37 mm). The coronal-plane width of the QT was larger superficially/anteriorly when closest to the patella but wider when measured deeper/posteriorly as the tendon extended proximally. The median distance between the superior pole of the patella and RT separation from the QT was 0.95 times the patellar length. The distance to widening of the deeper/posterior aspect of the QT was 1.14 times the patellar length proximal to the patella., Conclusion: The RT begins a distinct separation from the QT above the superior pole of the patella at a median of 0.95 times the patellar length in skeletally immature specimens. The deeper/posterior aspect of the QT begins to increase in coronal-plane width proximally after a distance of 1.14 times the patellar length above the knee, while the superficial/anterior aspect of the tendon continues to narrow. Awareness of the separation of the RT from the QT, and the coronal-plane width variation aspects of the QT proximally, is important for surgeons utilizing the QT as a graft to avoid inadvertent release of the RT from the rest of the QT complex., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: Cadaveric specimens in this study were donated by AlloSource. K.G.S. has received nonconsulting fees from DePuy and research support from Sanofi-Aventis (contested by the author). H.B.E. has received educational support from Pylant Medical, nonconsulting fees from Smith & Nephew and Synthes, and hospitality payments from Arthrex. P.L.W. has received educational support from Pylant Medical. P.D.F. has received educational support from Smith & Nephew and hospitality payments from Medical Device Business Services. S.M. has received educational support from Smith & Nephew and Gemini Mountain Medical, consulting fees from Arthrex, and hospitality payments from Stryker. T.J.G. has received educational support from Arthrex and Liberty. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF