Da. Mcguire et al., A postmortem examination of poly-L lactic acid interference screws 4 months after implantation during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, ARTHROSCOPY, 17(9), 2001, pp. 988-992
This is a report of a postmortem examination of an implanted bioabsorbable
interference screw used for patellar tendon graft fixation during anterior
cruciate ligament reconstruction. Examination was conducted 4 months after
implantation. Examination included radiographic, arthroscopic, and magnetic
resonance evaluations as well as histologic and mechanical pullout testing
. Examination showed no evidence of tunnel widening, lytic bone changes, or
inflammatory or foreign body reaction. Pullout and histologic testing indi
cated that appropriate bone plug incorporation was occurring. We believe th
e results of this case suggest that the use of bioabsorbable poly-L lactic
acid interference screws is a safe and efficacious alternative to metallic
screws during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.