OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two postero-lateral bundle (PLB) tibial fixation techniques for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with double bundle: a technique without the use of an interference screw, preserving the native tibial insertion of the tendons of the gracilis and semitendineous muscles, and a technique with the use of an interference screw and without preserving the insertion of the tendons. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted in cadavers with a universal mechanical test machine. In total, 23 cadaver knees were randomized for tibial fixation of the PLB using the two techniques: Maintaining the tibial insertion of the tendons during reconstruction, without the use of an interference screw (group A, 11 cases); and fixating the graft with an interference screw, without maintaining the insertion of the tendons (group B, 12 cases). A continuous traction was performed (20 mm/min) in the same direction as the produced tunnel, and force (N), elongation (mm), rigidity (N/mm), and tension (N/mm2) were objectively determined in each group. RESULTS: Group A exhibited a maximum force (MF) of 315.4±124.7 N; maximum tension of 13.57±3.65 N/mm2; maximum elongation of 19.73±4.76 mm; force at the limit of proportionality (FLP) of 240.6±144.0 N; and an elongation at the limit of proportionality of 14.37±6.58 mm. Group B exhibited a MF of 195.7±71.8 N; maximum tension of 8.8±3.81 N/mm2; maximum elongation of 15.3±10.73 mm; FLP of 150.1±68.7 N; and an elongation at the limit of proportionality of 6.86±2.42 mm. When comparing the two groups, significant differences were observed in the variables of maximum force (p=0.016), maximum tension (p=0.019), maximum elongation (p=0.007), and elongation at the limit of proportionality (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The use of the native insertion of the semitendineous and gracilis tendons, without an additional fixation device, presented mechanical superiority over their fixation with interference screws.

Selecionar os estudos relacionados à cirurgia do joelho publicados na literatura ortopédica nacional por meio da Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (AOB) e da Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (RBO) e classificá-los de acordo com os níveis de evidência. Foram selecionados todos os estudos publicados de 2000 a 2011. A seguinte categorização foi adotada: nível1- revisão sistemática; nível 2 - ensaio clínico; nível 3 - estudos de coorte e caso-controle; nível 4 - série de casos; níve l5 - revisão narrativa e outros. Foram encontrados 255. Na região Sudeste foram 212 artigos (83,1%), na Sul 30 (11,7%), na Nordeste cinco (2%), na Norte e na Centro-Oeste dois cada (0,8%). Quatro trabalhos foram desenvolvidos no exterior (1,6%). O tema mais comum foi ligamento cruzado anterior, em 58 estudos (22,7%), e artroplastias, em 55 estudos (21,5%). A maior parte dos estudos apresentou nível de evidência IV (27,8%) e V (50,2%). A produção científica nacional relacionada à cirurgia do joelho apresenta-se em expansão, com predomínio de expressão na região Sudeste. A maioria dos estudos tem baixo nível de evidência e concentra-se na abordagem do ligamento cruzado anterior e das artroplastias.

Select the studies related to knee surgery in the orthopedic literature published by Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (AOB) and the Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (RBO) and classify them according to the levels of evidence. We selected all studies published from 2000 to 2011 related to knee surgery in AOB and RBO. The following categorization was adopted: level 1: systematic review; level 2: clinical trial; level 3: cohort studies and case-control; level 4: number of cases; level 5: narrative review and others. We found in the national literature selected 255 studies related to knee surgery. In the Southeast were developed 212 articles (83.1%), 30 publications in the South (11.7%), Northeast 5 (2%), North and Central West 2 jobs each (0.8%). Four work performed in other country (1.6%). The most common issue was the anterior cruciate ligament in 58 studies (22.7%) and arthroplasty in 55 studies (21.5%). Most studies presented evidence level IV (27.8%) and V (50.2%). The national scientific production related to knee surgery presents itself expanding with predominant expression in the Southeast. Most studies related to knee surgery published in national journals have low level evidence and focuses on the approach of the anterior cruciate ligament and arthroplasty.