The first in Poland reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee using the arthroscopic method was carried out on Tuesday at the City Hospital in Rzeszów. The new method allows the reconstruction of both ligament bundles with only one canal.
The head of the orthopedic department of the Rzeszów hospital, Marek Doliński, explained that the advantage of this technique is the possibility of setting both bundles (bunches) in their natural position by making only one tunnel. Until now, it was possible to perform a double-beam operation with two channels, which significantly extended the operation time.
The single-tunnel two-bundle method has an advantage over the traditional one-bundle method because it recreates the proper function and anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament, which is made up of two bundles. It allows you to recreate two bunches and place them exactly in their anatomical position, told PAP Robert Pyczuła, who performed the procedure. In his opinion, this method is innovative and revolutionary.
Orthopedists emphasize that the procedure is much shorter, less invasive and guarantees a return to full knee efficiency and full stability.
In traditional arthroscopy, a canal was made from the tibia to the femur, which was pierced right through. It was also then necessary to close the channel with two special screws. The new technique makes it possible to make a canal from the tibia to the femur without drilling through it. As a result, there is only one opening in the tibia, approximately 7-8 millimeters in diameter.
The introduction of the ligament into the canal is possible thanks to a special screwdriver with an arrow-shaped tip. Its twisting in the tunnel in the femur stabilizes and fixes the ligament.
The operation was performed on the left knee of a 19-year-old patient under local anesthesia.
The Ordinator added that this technique was developed by Americans. It was possible to conduct it in Poland only after the technology and equipment were registered in the country. (PAP)