A Quantitative Study Of Grafts Angiogenesis After Anterior Cruciate Ligamen Reconstruction With Preservation Of The Remnant In Rabbit Model

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the angiogenesis of graft after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction with preservation of the remnant, and discuss the mechanism of this process, provide the theoretical basis for the preserving-remnant technique.Methods1.Experimental treatmentThirty two closed colony New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups at random, each group had 8 rabbits. The anterior cruciate ligaments of the rabbit's legs were cut off. The remnant of ACL was preserved on right side, and on the other side, the remnant was debrided. Then single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was conducted with autogeneous Achilles tendon graft. After the operation, the animals in 4 groups were fed in cage for 6,12,18,24 weeks respectively.2. Observation indexes2.1 Blood flow volume of the graftEach group only 6 randomly was selected to measure blood flow volume of the graft by Laser doppler flow meter and SPECT on scheduled time.2.2 Histological observation of vessel densityThe knee specimens were fixed with 10% paraformaldehyde. The specimens of ACL were taken and embeded, sliced, and then strained with immune fluorescence (CD34) and to observe vessel density and histopathological situation.3. Statistical Analysis :2×4 factorial analysis, paired t test ,simple t test were carried out using SPSS18.0 software. Results1.Blood flow volume of the graft. Blood flow volume of the graft was measured by Laser doppler flow meter and SPECT in preserving-remnant group was higher than removing-remnant group, there was a significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).2.Observation of vessel density of the graft Vessel density of the graft in preserving-remnant group was higher than removing-remnant group, there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion1.The early angiogenesis of graft happened in the surface of the graft after ACL reconstruction.2. The ACL reconstruction with preserving-remnant can promote the angiogenesis of the grafts.