The Histology Of Reconstructed Anterior Cruciate Ligament With Autograft And Allograft Tendon In Rabbits

Objective: To compare the histological results of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autograft versus allograft tendon in rabbits.Method: ACL reconstruction materials harvested from NewZealand donor rabbits' bilateral tendons of flexor degitorum longus were transplanted to reconstruct the ACL, while their original ACL was resected. Allografts are packed in two layers of sterilitas plastic bag, then which were slowly frozen to -80℃and kept 14 days; and were radiated byγray. The allograft tendons were kept at -20℃as deep-frozen allograft providers. Forty-eight rabbits are divided into group A and group B. Group A is the autograft one; Group B is the allograft one. Each graft tendon end was fixed by screws, and tied to both the femoral and tibial tunnel after transplantation. Autograft was randomly performed in one knee, allograft reconstrutures ACL alikely. The histological and histochemistry analysis was undertaken at the 26th week, 52th week after the transplantation using HE staining, Masson staining, under light microscope.Results: At the 26th week after ACL reconstruction, there are more vessel growth in the allograft group; there are less vessel growth in the autograft group. The collagen types III in the allograft group is more than that in the autograft group. The collagen types I in the allograft group is less than that in the autograft group. At the 52th week postoperatively, vessel growth in two groups are not observed. The collagen typeslllwas markedly less; relatively; The collagen types I increases distinguishedly. The amount and alignment of collagenous fibers in both graft groups are different from the normal ACL.Conclusions: The histological morphology of the allograft tendon is comparative to the autograft tendon, which suggest that the allograft tendon is appropriate substitute to the autograft tendon.