Synthetic carbon fiber prosthesis for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in canine knees - radiological and pathohistological picture

Abstract

The biological response and strength of a reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by carbon fibers was investigated in the canine knee. The allografts were inserted to replace the ACL according to the technique recommended by the manufacturer of the carbon fiber prostheses. The clinical radiological and pathohis-tological picture of the neoligament and bone-neoligament-bone connections were evaluated at one, two and six months later. Clinically and radiologically the knee joints were stable, without degenerative changes. Pathohistologically there were marked fibrous tissue ingrowth between the carbon fibers. The canine knee is a suitable model for experimental knee surgery. The characteristics of the carbon ACL prosthesis are suitable in cases when an autograft (patelar tendon, semitendinosus-gracilis) cannot be performed in seriosly injured or elderly patients.

U okviru ovog rada vršeno je ispitivanje biološkog ponašanja i čvrstine prednjeg ukrštenog ligamenta koji je zamenjen karbonskom protezom. Procenjivana su klinička, radiološka i patohistološka slika neoligamenta i njegovog spoja sa kostima, u periodima od 1, 2 i 6 meseci. Klinički i radiološki koleno je bilo stabilno, bez degenerativnih promena. Histološki je bilo izraženo prorastanje vezivnog tkiva oko karbonskih vlakana. Koleno psa je odgovarajući model za eksperimentalnu hirurgiju kolena. Karakteristike karbonske LCA proteze su podesne u slučajevima kada autograft (ligamenta patele ill m.semitendinosus - gracilisa) nije dostupan, kod obimnijih povreda ili starijih pacijenata.