Objective To review the research progress regarding the over-the-top technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MethodsThe relevant literature on ACL reconstruction using the over-the-top technique was analyzed for its evolution, clinical application, advantages, and limitations. Results Over-the-top technique for ACL reconstruction is a combined intra- and extra-articular technique. Because it avoids drilling the femoral tunnel, its advantages are mainly highlighted in the protection of the femur. Therefore, it is widely used in children and adolescents with epiphyseal occlusion and in patients with revision reconstruction. In addition, significant improvements in postoperative joint stability, functional scores, and return to exercise rates are found in long-term follow-up studies of patients with primary ACL reconstruction and combined anterolateral tenodesis. However, the technique also has some limitations, such as poor stability of knee flexion after operation, high requirement for graft length, and easy impact of graft in the intercondylar fossa. Conclusion The current research results show the effectiveness and safety of the over-the-top technique for primary and revision ACL reconstruction, with the advantages of wide application, simple operation, and quick recovery; however, more researches are needed to further optimize the selection of grafts and femoral condyle management problems, and to clarify the long-term effectiveness.
Objective To compare early graft healing between over-the-top (OTT) and anatomic single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A clinical data of 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, who admitted between June 2021 and October 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 20 patients were treated with OTT reconstruction (OTT group) and 20 with SB reconstruction (SB group). There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in the gender, age, affected side, disease duration, degree of meniscus injury, body mass index, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and KT-2000 measurement. At 3, 6, and 12 months, MRI was performed to measure the signal noise quotient (SNQ) of the proximal end, middle, and distal end of the graft in the two groups, as well as at the corner of the graft with lateral femoral condyle and 1 cm around the femoral fixation point in the OTT group, to observe the degree of graft healing. Before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months, the knee function and pain were evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and VAS score. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the KT-2000 measurement was taken to evaluation the knee joint stability. Results All operations were successfully completed in both groups and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 12.9 months), with no significant difference in the follow-up time between groups (P>0.05). After operation, the IKDC score, VAS score, and Lysholm score improved gradually over time in both groups, with significant differences between different time points (P<0.05). The differences between groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were not significant (P>0.05). The anterior and posterior stability of the knee joint improved significantly in both groups at 12 months after operation, and the difference in KT-2000 measurements was significant when compared with the preoperative value (P<0.05), but the difference of pre- and post-operation between groups was not significant (P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, MRI showed that the differences in the SNQ of the proximal end and middle of the grafts between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05), and the SNQ of distal end was significantly higher in the SB group than in the OTT group (P<0.05). At each time point, grafts in the OTT group had the highest SNQ at the corner and the lowest at the fixation point, and the differences were significant compared to the other sites (P<0.05). In the two groups, except for the fixation point, the SNQ of the remaining sites were highest at 6 months and lowest at 12 months (P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in SNQ between the different sites of grafts (P<0.05), and the SNQ was lowest at proximal end and highest at distal end. At last follow-up, the knee grafts in both groups were in good shape and no graft necrosis or loosening of the internal fixation was observed. Conclusion The knee joint function and graft healing after OTT reconstruction of ACL are similar to those of SB reconstruction, but it should be noted that the healing at the corner of the graft is slower.
ObjectiveInitiated by the Knee Group of the Chinese Society of Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Group of the Chinese Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, domestic experts in the field were organized to develop a Chinese expert consensus on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the over-the-top (OTT) technique, based on the latest clinical practices and research advancements. This consensus aims to standardize and promote the application of this technique in ACL reconstruction. Methods The consensus was reached using the modified Delphi method and was completed through two rounds of online questionnaire surveys and one round of face-to-face expert meeting discussions. The consensus was jointly formulated by 43 sports medicine experts from grade Ⅲ class A hospitals across 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China. Among them, 7 experts served as guiding experts. The consensus drafting team drafted the first draft of the consensus based on evidence-based evidence and transformed it into questionnaire items. The second draft was revised according to the feedback from the first round of questionnaires and discussed, revised and voted on item by item in face-to-face meetings. Items with an approval rate of ≥85% were recognized as having reached a consensus. The consensus terms were categorized as “strong” (approval rate: 95.0%-100%), “moderate” (approval rate: 90.0%-94.9%), and “basic” (approval rate: 85.0%-89.9%). ResultsAll 43 experts completed the entire process and participated in the face-to-face meeting. Ultimately, 9 consensus statements were agreed upon, including 8 highly-consensus items and 1 general consensus item, covering surgical indications, technical key points, and postoperative rehabilitation. ConclusionThe ACL OTT reconstruction technique does not require the establishment of a femoral tunnel and demonstrates favorable outcomes in adolescent ACL reconstruction and adult ACL revision, making it a viable surgical option for such patients. However, whether OTT reconstruction should be routinely recommended for primary ACL reconstruction in adults requires further clinical research to confirm its standardized application and ensure clinical efficacy.