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. 2018 Jun 8;53(4):404-409.
doi: 10.1016/j.rboe.2018.05.005. eCollection 2018 Jul-Aug.

Ultrasonography for evaluation of hamstring tendon diameter: is it possible to predict the size of the graft?

Diego da Costa Astur  1 , João Victor Novaretti  1 , Andre Cicone Liggieri  1 , César Janovsky  1 , Alexandre Pedro Nicolini  1 , Moises Cohen  1
Affiliations

Ultrasonography for evaluation of hamstring tendon diameter: is it possible to predict the size of the graft?

Diego da Costa Astur et al. Rev Bras Ortop. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: Perform the preoperative measurement of the hamstring tendons using ultrasound imaging, validating and correlating the measured value with that found during surgical reconstruction of the ligament.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 24 patients who underwent ultrasonographic measurement of the semitendinosus and gracilis muscle tendons and were subsequently submitted to surgical reconstruction of the ACL, with ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafting.

Results: The patients' ages ranged from 16 to 43 years, with a mean of 24.8 years (SD = 8.4 years), 79.2% were men, and the distribution by side was 41.7% right knees and 58.3% left knees. A non-significant correlation coefficient was found between the area calculated by ultrasound (2 × semitendinosus area + 2 × gracilis area) and the intraoperative measurement (r = 0.16; p = 0.443). No evidence of a difference between intraoperative measurements <8 mm and ≥8 mm was found for the area calculated by the ultrasound (p = 0.746). The difference observed between the groups was -0.01 (95% CI: -0.09 to 0.07).

Conclusion: Preoperative ultrasound imaging of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons does not present a statistically significant correlation with the intraoperative measurement of the quadruple hamstring graft for ligament reconstruction.

Objetivo: Fazer a mensuração pré-operatória dos tendões flexores do joelho com o uso do exame de ultrassonografia, validar e correlacionar o valor medido com aquele encontrado durante a reconstrução cirúrgica do ligamento.

Métodos: Estudo transversal com 24 pacientes submetidos a mensuração ultrassonográfica dos tendões dos músculos semitendíneo e grácil e posteriormente submetidos a reconstrução cirúrgica do LCA, com enxerto ipsilateral dos tendões semitendíneo e grácil do próprio paciente.

Resultados: A idade dos pacientes variou entre 16 e 43 anos, com média de 24,8 (DP = 8,4), 79,2% eram homens e a distribuição quanto ao lado foi de 41,7% joelhos direitos e 58,3% joelhos esquerdos. Foi encontrado coeficiente de correlação não significante entre a área calculada a partir do ultrassom (2 × área do semitendíneo + 2 × área do grácil) e a medida obtida intraoperatoriamente (r = 0,16, p = 0,443). Não foi encontrada evidência de diferença entre medidas intraoperatórias < 8 mm e ≥ 8 mm quanto à área calculada a partir do ultrassom (p = 0,746). A diferença observada entre os grupos foi de -0,01 (IC 95%: -0,09 a 0,07).

Conclusão: A mensuração pré-operatória por método de imagem ultrassonográfico dos tendões dos músculos semitendíneo e grácil não apresenta correlação estatisticamente significante com a mensuração intraoperatória do enxerto quádruplo de flexores para reconstrução ligamentar.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Knee injuries; Ultrasonography.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Ultrasonographic measurement of the semitendinosus muscle tendon in a transverse plane; (B) ultrasonographic measurement of the semitendinosus muscle tendon in an anteroposterior plane.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intraoperative measurement of quadruple flexor graft size with the appropriate guide.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Correlation between the area calculated by ultrasound (2 × semitendinosus area + 2 × gracilis area) and the measurement obtained intraoperatively in a sample of 24 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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