Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hybrid Transtibial Femoral Drilling and a Quadriceps Tendon Autograft

Abstract

Significant controversy exists regarding the optimal surgical technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in adolescents with 1 to 3 years of skeletal growth remaining. Graft choice and physeal injury remain primary concerns given significantly elevated rates of failure of hamstring autograft reconstructions in this population, as well as risks of leg-length discrepancy and growth axis deviation. Traditional (more vertical) transtibial drilling of the femoral tunnel can reduce risks of physeal injury but has been shown to have less accuracy restoring the native femoral ACL footprint and associated incomplete knee stabilization. On the other hand, anteromedial and outside-in drilling yields improvements in the tunnel location and biomechanics but at the cost of a more oblique trajectory and greater risk of physeal injury. A hybrid transtibial pin technique using a Pathfinder guide facilitates femoral drilling with the “best of both worlds,” allowing for reproduction of the native ACL footprint and a more physeal-respecting femoral tunnel. When combined with an all–soft tissue quadriceps tendon autograft and suspensory fixation, the hybrid transtibial method yields a reliable, safe, and robust construct with promising results for the young athlete. We describe our preferred graft harvest, tunnel drilling, and fixation techniques to minimize physeal risks and optimize outcomes.