Can Hamstring Tendons be Used as Autografts in Peroneal Tendon Reconstruction? A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Aim:Tendon transfers and autografts can be used in the reconstruction of chronic peroneal tendon tears. This cadaveric study aimed to evaluate the use of autograft hamstring tendons to reconstruct peroneal tendons in terms of diameter suitability.Materials and Methods:In this study, 13 hamstring tendons (gracilis, semitendinosus) without macroscopic injury and degeneration from the lower extremity of 13 fresh frozen cadavers were harvested and measured by standard methods. Then, peroneal tendons (peroneus longus, peroneus brevis) of the same cadavers were harvested and measured by standard methods. Tendon diameters were measured from the middle region of the tendon using a digital micro-caliper. After the measurements were completed, the thickness of the hamstring tendons and both peroneal tendons were statistically evaluated.Results:The mean age of the cadavers included in the study was 74.07±12.25 (minimum: 51, maximum: 94) years, and the mean body mass index was calculated as 25.38±6.07. There was no statistically significant difference by gender in the evaluated tendon diameters (p>0.05 for each). A positive correlation was found between hamstring tendons (gracilis and semitendinosus) and peroneus longus and brevis tendons in terms of size (p<0.01 for each). In addition, in the measurement of the mean tendon diameter from the middle region, the mean diameter of the semitendinosus tendon was found to be closer to the mean diameter of the peroneal tendons.Conclusion:In the reconstruction of chronic peroneal tendon rupture, the semitendinosus tendon’s being used as an autograft for both peroneal tendons might be more appropriate according to the evaluation of the tendon diameter from the middle region.

Keywords

• peroneal tendon
• peroneal tendon reconstruction
• hamstring autograft