Comparing Hamstring Autograft With Hybrid Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically review the literature in an effort to compare the demographics and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with a hamstring tendon autograft (HT) versus an irradiated or nonirradiated hybrid autograft-allograft.

Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All English-language literature that reported general demographics and compared the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing primary ACLR with autograft versus hybrid graft (HG) with a minimum 2-year follow-up was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Search terms used were "anterior cruciate ligament" and "hybrid graft." Patients were assessed based on graft failure, anteroposterior laxity, and patient-reported outcomes (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, visual analog scale, Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm, and Tegner scores). Study quality was evaluated with the Modified Coleman Methodology Score and ROBINS-I risk of bias tool.

Results: Twelve studies (1 level II, 11 level III) met inclusion criteria (follow-up, 2.0-8.9 years), including 471 patients undergoing ACLR with an irradiated hybrid graft (IH), 89 patients with a nonirradiated hybrid graft, and 829 patients with HT. Graft diameter ranged from 7.5 to 10.0 mm and from 6.5 to 10.0 mm in HG and HT patients, respectively. Overall, graft failure ranged from 0% to 30.0% and from 0% to 28.3% in HG and HT patients, respectively (I² = 35.9%; 95% confidence interval 0%-74.8%). Among HG patients, graft failure ranged from 0%-30.0% and from 2.4%-4.2% in IH and nonirradiated hybrid graft groups, respectively (I² = 33.6%; 95% confidence interval, 0%-71.8%). Results for postoperative anteroposterior laxity and patient-reported outcomes were also inconsistent.

Conclusions: Patients undergoing ACLR with HT demonstrate inconsistent differences in clinical outcomes at midterm follow-up compared with IH patients.

Level of evidence: III, systematic review of level II and III studies.