Positioning of the femoral tunnel for arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: comparative study of 2 techniques Posicionamento do túnel femoral na reconstrução artroscópica do LCA: estudo comparativo de duas técnicas

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of positioning of the femoral tunnel in reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament by means of 2 techniques: tibial tunnel and anteromedial portal. METHOD: Femoral tunnels were drilled in 20 knees from human cadavers by means of arthroscopy. Group I had the femoral tunnel drilled via a trans-tibial tunnel, and Group II via the anteromedial portal. Four variables were measured: A) posterior wall thickness; B) tunnel positioning at the notch; C) tunnel inclination in relation to the femoral axis; and D) distance between the wire guide exit and the lateral epicondyle. RESULTS: As above, respectively, A) 2.23 mm for group I and 2.36 mm for group II (P =.54); B) 25.5° for group I and 30.0° for group II (P =.23); C) 23.9° for group I and 32.0° for group II (P =.02); D) 7.8 cm for group I and 3.9 cm for group II (P