Synovialization and Revascularization Enhancement in Repaired and Reconstructed ACL: PCL Fat Pad Transfer Technique

Abstract

The rapid development of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and repair techniques has significantly improved the outcomes of these procedures. However, there is still some place for how to improve surgical techniques to limit the amount of revision surgeries. Over the past decade, biological solutions and methods of ligament remodeling enhancement have been proposed. The use of the native ACL remnants has been the most thoroughly analyzed technique. However, despite its benefits, this technique may not to be sufficient to improve outcomes and may cause some technical difficulties. On the other hand, the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fat pad contains an abundant synovial vascular network and is located in close proximity to the ACL, which makes it a potential biological donor place of cells and tissue that could enhance the ligamentization of the repaired or reconstructed ACL. To optimize the use of this donor site, we propose the technique of ACL synovialization and revascularization enhancement with a PCL fat pad transfer.