• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2004

The hamstring tendons are popular for autografts in a variety of reconstructive procedures. The hamstring autografts are used widely for its potential advantages over the patella bone-tendon-bone(BTB) autograft, including lower graft site morbidity and easier harvesting technique. However, the use of hamstrings has potential disadvantages such as the damage of infrapatellar branches of the saphenous nerve, premature tendon amputation, and tendon split following inadequate hamstring identifications. In our studies, we used modified technique for harvesting the hamstring to decrease potential disadvantages. Reflected hamstring flap method seems to be easy and safe in avoiding nerve damage and tendon splitting. We recommend the reflected hamstring flap method for harvesting hamstring tendons.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2007

Purpose: The harvest of hamstring tendon is technically demanding because of the inadequate identification of hamstring tendon separation and accessory tendon of semitendinosus tendon. We conducted therefore conducted an anatomic study, aiming at the anatomic knowledge for graft harvest. Materials and Methods: 20 human cadaveric knees (10 cadavers) were used for the study. The location of tendon separation in conjoined tendon and accessory tendon of semitendinosus tendon were described and recorded. Results: The location of tendon separation of conjoined tendon was average $39.68{\pm}9.97mm$ vertically and $18.57{\pm}2.91mm$ horizontally from the tibial spine. We found that the accessory structure of the semitendinosus tendon was mostly fascia-like structure(17 knees), the tendinous structure, 3 cases which was straightly located 15cm from the tibial crest. Conclusion: We propose that the expected incision for hamstring tendon harvest is centered on the inferior 40mm, medial 20mm from the tibial spine. The accessory structure of the semitendinosus tendon was mostly found of fascia-like structure.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.148-152
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of the diameter of four strand autologous hamstring tendon and to identify the factors related to the diameter. Materials and Methods: Between December 2004 and July 2006, 66 patients underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendon. Sixty one patients were male and the other 5 patients were female. Both semitendinosus and gracilis tendon were harvested in every case. Harvested two tendons were folded once together to create a four strand double loop graft and were passed through cylindrical sizer to measure their diameter. Parameters such as sex, age, height and weight were analyzed for their correlation with the diameter of the graft. Results: The diameter of the graft ranged from 6 mm to 10 mm. The graft with the diameter of 8 mm was most common and the average diameter of all the grafts was $7.85{\pm}0.92mm$. Seven patients (10.6%) had a graft with the diameter of 6 mm, which is considered too thin to be ideal one. No statistically significant correlation was found between age of the patient and the diameter of the graft. However, the diameter of the graft was significantly correlated with sex, height and weight of the patient. Female patients had a significant tendency to have thinner hamstring tendons. Both small height and light weight of the patients were correlated with thinner hamstring tendons significantly. Conclusion: Sex, height and weight of the patients were the factors that had a statistically significant correlation with the diameter of the graft. Being aware of the risk factors related with harvesting exceedingly thin hamstring tendon prior to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, one can utilize wide range of options in selecting an optimal graft.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2011

Purpose: This study is to compare the clinical results of ACL reconstruction between three groups using hamstring tendon autograft, mixed and tibialis tendon allograft. Materials and Methods: Between August 2003 and August 2008, we analyzed 169 cases of ACL reconstruction, 66 cases used hamstring tendon autograft, 42 cases used mixed graft and 61 cases used tibialis tendon allograft, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. For the clinical evaluation, we evaluated the Lysholm score, Telos stress test device and IKDC score. Results: The average side to side difference in Telos stress test decreased from $7.5{\pm}1.0$ mm to $1.6{\pm}1.0$ mm in autograft group, from $7.6{\pm}1.1$ mm to $1.4{\pm}1.1$ mm in mixed graft group and from $7.4{\pm}1.3$ mm to $2.5{\pm}1.3$ mm in allograft group. The average Lysholm knee score improved from 58.6 to 92.3 in autograft group, from 60.6 to 92.6 in mixed graft group and from 55.3 to 91.5 in allograft group. There was no significant difference between three groups in clinical results. At second look arthroscopy, tension of ligament and synovial coverage were good result in autograft and mixed graft than allograft group. Conclusion: All hamstring tendon autograft, mixed graft and tibialis tendon allograft groups showed satisfactory clinical results, with no significant difference in outcomes between the groups. Both hamstring tendon autograft and mixed graft showed good synovial coverage in second look arthroscopy. So mixed graft will be considered as good alternative in case of shorter or thin harvested hamstring tendon.