Meta-analysis comparing bioabsorbable versus metal interference screw for adverse and clinical outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

This meta-analysis summarized results from eleven randomized control trials (RCTs) involving 878 randomly allocated patients to investigate the use of bioabsorbable interference screws compared to metal interference screws in single bundle primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The study aimed to report adverse effects and clinical outcomes from different screw types after a minimum of one year postoperatively. Results revealed that the use of bioabsorbable screws applied to medial hamstring grafts demonstrated greater tunnel widening on the femoral side, and reported significantly higher rates of effusion and screw breakage with bioabsorbable screws compared to metal screws. Despite the presence of adverse effects, functional and clinical outcome measurements did not differ significantly between the two screw types.