BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (TREVIRA(R) HOCHFEST) AUGMENTATION DEVICE IN REPAIR OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT

The biocompatibility of a 3 mm band made of polyethylene terephthalate (Trevira(R) hochfest) has been tested in an experimental study within right knee joints of 60 sheep. After transsecting the anterior crucia te ligament (ACL), two randomized groups were formed. In group I, the ACL was repaired according to the Marshall technique whilst in group I I an additional 3 mm polyethylene terephthalate (PET) augmentation ban d was implanted using the through-the-condyle (TTC) procedure. To asse ss the biocompatibility of the augmentation device the knee joints of both groups were punctured and the synovial fluids were analyzed befor e, as well as 2, 6, 16, 26, and 52 weeks after the operation. In addit ion, the histologic appearance of excised suprapatellar pouches and ip silateral inguinal and popliteal lymphatic noduli were examined. Compa ring both groups no significant differences were found neither before nor after the augmented and non-augmented ACL repair. No pathological increase in the total protein concentration occurred after operation a nd no significant differences versus the preoperative analysis were fo und. No synovitis signalling a decrease in the glucose concentration w as observed. The cytological examination revealed no increase of the l eukocyte cell count results. Within the synovial specimen neither free nor phagocytosed PET wear particles could be detected. In groups I an d II the histological appearance of excised popliteal and inguinal lym phatic noduli showed a normal result. In 25% of the PET augmented ACL repairs, a slight concentration of PET wear particles and solitary, mu ltinuclear giant foreign body cells could be seen in the histological preparations of suprapatellar pouches. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.