Publication:

Prediction of hamstring tendon autograft dimensions for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the Bangladeshi population

Background This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) for estimating the length of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons, as well as the total graft diameter, in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods A study was conducted involving 58 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts. Preoperative data were collected and intraoperative measurements of semitendinosus, gracilis tendon lengths, and total graft diameter were recorded.

Results For semitendinosus, longer tendons were associated with greater height (B=89.77, p=0.020) and BMI (B=2.452, p=0.044), while higher weight showed a negative effect (B=-0.841, p=0.047). Males had significantly longer semitendinosus tendons than females (B=1.796, p=0.028). Similar trends were observed for gracilis tendon length, where height (B=113.77, p=0.005), BMI (B=3.245, p=0.012), and sex (B=1.747, p=0.040) were positive predictors, and weight showed a negative association (B=-1.132, p=0.011). Age was not a significant predictor for either tendon length (p>0.5). Regarding total graft diameter, only sex emerged as a significant factor (B=0.295, p=0.049), with male patients having thicker grafts, while age, height, weight, and BMI had no significant effect (p>0.05).

Conclusions Height and BMI are reliable positive predictors of hamstring tendon length, while weight shows a negative association. Male sex is consistently associated with longer and thicker tendons. Age does not significantly influence graft dimensions.