OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare two postero-lateral bundle (PLB) tibial fixation techniques for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with double bundle: a technique without the use of an interference screw, preserving the native tibial insertion of the tendons of the gracilis and semitendineous muscles, and a technique with the use of an interference screw and without preserving the insertion of the tendons. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted in cadavers with a universal mechanical test machine. In total, 23 cadaver knees were randomized for tibial fixation of the PLB using the two techniques: Maintaining the tibial insertion of the tendons during reconstruction, without the use of an interference screw (group A, 11 cases); and fixating the graft with an interference screw, without maintaining the insertion of the tendons (group B, 12 cases). A continuous traction was performed (20 mm/min) in the same direction as the produced tunnel, and force (N), elongation (mm), rigidity (N/mm), and tension (N/mm2) were objectively determined in each group. RESULTS: Group A exhibited a maximum force (MF) of 315.4±124.7 N; maximum tension of 13.57±3.65 N/mm2; maximum elongation of 19.73±4.76 mm; force at the limit of proportionality (FLP) of 240.6±144.0 N; and an elongation at the limit of proportionality of 14.37±6.58 mm. Group B exhibited a MF of 195.7±71.8 N; maximum tension of 8.8±3.81 N/mm2; maximum elongation of 15.3±10.73 mm; FLP of 150.1±68.7 N; and an elongation at the limit of proportionality of 6.86±2.42 mm. When comparing the two groups, significant differences were observed in the variables of maximum force (p=0.016), maximum tension (p=0.019), maximum elongation (p=0.007), and elongation at the limit of proportionality (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The use of the native insertion of the semitendineous and gracilis tendons, without an additional fixation device, presented mechanical superiority over their fixation with interference screws.

OBJETIVO: Medir radiograficamente através de escanometria o hipercrescimento femoral em pacientes portadores de Displasia do Desenvolvimento do Quadril inveterada tratados cirurgicamente com encurtamento femoral, redução cruenta e acetabuloplastia. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 30 crianças (33 quadris) submetidas à redução cruenta pela técnica de Scaglietti e Calandriello, ostectomia para encurtamento femoral e acetabuloplastia de Salter. Haviam 29 do sexo feminino e 1 do sexo masculino, com idade média de 4 anos e 5 meses na ocasião da cirurgia. De acordo com a classificação de Zionts e MacEwen, 23 (69,6%) quadris foram classificados como tipo III, 5 (15,2%) como tipo I e 5 (15,2%) como tipo II. O encurtamento femoral médio foi 45,12mm (variando de 30,00mm a 80,00mm). O tempo de seguimento médio foi de 10 anos e 2 meses. A discrepância femoral média mensurada nos escanogramas foi 13,48mm (variando de 0,00mm a 60,00mm) após acompanhamento mínimo de 2 anos e 3 meses. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes evoluíram com hipercrescimento sendo que em 18 (54,6%) casos a anisomelia observada foi <30mm, 11 (33,3%) alcançaram igualdade de comprimento e 4 (12,1%) discrepância >30mm. CONCLUSÃO: Observamos diminuição significante na diferença entre os comprimentos femorais após tratamento cirúrgico comparando com as medidas obtidas durante o seguimento ambulatorial.

OBJECTIVE: To measure femoral overgrowth using radiographic scanning in patients with long-established Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip treated with femoral shaft shortening, open reduction and acetabuloplasty. METHODS: We studied 30 children (33 hips) submitted to surgical treatment including femoral shaft shortening, open reduction according to Scaglietti & Calandriello's procedure and Salter acetabuloplasty without preliminary traction. There were 29 females and 1 male, with mean age = 4 years and 5 months at the time of operation. According to Zionts & MacEwen's classification, 23 hips were classified as type III (69.6%), 5 (15.2%) as type I and 5 (15.2%) as type II. The average femoral shortening was 45.12 mm (range: 30.00 mm to 80.00 mm). The mean follow-up time was 10 years and 2 months (range: 2 years and 3 months to 18 years) and we noticed a mean femoral discrepancy of 13.48mm (range: 0.00 mm to 60.00 mm) using plain scanning images. RESULTS: All patients evolved to femoral overgrowth; in 18 cases (54.6%), the leg length discrepancy found was <30 mm, 11 (33.3%) showed no LLD, and 4 (12.1%) presented with a discrepancy >30mm. Conclusion: We noticed a significantly decreased discrepancy of femurs after surgical treatment when compared to the measurements obtained during outpatient follow-up.