Abstract
BACKGROUND: Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the pediatric population have been exponentially increasing over the years. However, surgical techniques typically employed for ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) in adults may injure the physes of skeletally immature patients, resulting in growth disturbances. INDICATIONS: Currently, ACL-R is recommended for most patients, aiming to return the patient to their previous activities as well as reduce the risk of further instability, meniscal and chondral injuries, and early osteoarthritis. Pediatric ACL-R techniques may vary widely. In this video, the technique chosen was over-the-top on the femur with a vertical tibial tunnel, in addition to a lateral extra-articular tenodesis, using the iliotibial (IT) band as the graft. TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION: The patient is positioned in standard supine arthroscopic position. An incision is made over the lateral epicondyle and the IT band is exposed. A 2-cm-wide graft is harvested. The proximal aspect of the graft is truncated as high as possible, and the distal aspect is left attached to Gerdy tubercle. Arthroscopic portals are established, and the remanent ACL is debrided, exposing the posterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle. The capsule is penetrated using a Schnidt tonsil to establish the over-the-top position, which is subsequently exchanged for a cardiac clamp. The graft sutures are grasped using the clamp and pulled into the joint. The tibial tunnel is drilled at the anatomic footprint of the ACL. The graft is threaded over-the-top of the lateral femoral condyle and through the tibial tunnel. Finally, femoral graft fixation is performed on the lateral femoral condyle using interrupted sutures through the IT band and periosteum, and tibial graft fixation is performed with standard interference fixation. RESULTS: Previous literature shows low re-rupture rates, excellent postoperative patient-reported outcomes, and high return to sport rates. CONCLUSION: In the pediatric population, there is still no ACL-R technique defined as the gold standard. The described technique is a valuable option for ACL-R in skeletally immature patients, with low revision rates and excellent postoperative outcomes. In addition, this technique minimizes the risk of growth disturbances and effectively stabilizes the knee, allowing patients to return to previous activities. PATIENT CONSENT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.