A randomized controlled trial on oblique incisions for ACL reconstruction: Minimizing sensory deficit without compromising outcome.

研究概要

One hundred eighteen patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft were randomized to receive either an oblique incision (n = 40), a vertical incision (n = 40), or a horizontal incision (n = 38) for graft harvesting. The primary outcome of interest was the area of sensory disturbance, assessed using Von Frey Filaments at three weeks, three months, and six months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included functional performance, measured using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 Subjective Knee Evaluation score at six months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the oblique incision group had significantly smaller sensory disturbance areas (34.7 mm² ± 38.6) than the horizontal incision group (63.4 mm² ± 42.4, p = 0.031) and the vertical incision group (43.8 mm² ± 39.1), though the difference between oblique and vertical incisions was not significant. Functional outcomes were similar across all groups. These findings suggest that an oblique incision minimizes sensory disturbance without negatively affecting functional outcomes in ACL reconstruction.