TOTBİD Derleme Dergisi

TOTBİD Derleme Dergisi

2026, Cilt 25, Sayı, 5     (Sayfalar: 556-562)

Management of the femoral tunnel in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Oğuz Şükrü Poyanlı 1, Yunus Emre Bulum 1

1 Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın Şehir Hastanesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, İstanbul

DOI: 10.5578/totbid.derleme.dergisi.2026.66
Görüntüleme: 13
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İndirme : 7

Although failure rates after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are relatively low, the absolute number of revision procedures is increasing in parallel with the rising incidence of primary surgeries. Revision ACL reconstruction is technically more demanding than primary procedures due to bone stock loss, tunnel widening, tunnel malposition, and concomitant intra-articular pathologies. Among these, femoral tunnel-related problems represent one of the most common technical causes of graft failure and are critical in surgical planning. Femoral tunnel malposition, tunnel widening, tunnel convergence, and hardware interference significantly affect the outcome of revision surgery. Therefore, thorough preoperative assessment using advanced imaging modalities, particularly computed tomography, is essential. Evaluation of tunnel position, diameter, and its relationship with the planned new tunnel guides the decision between one-stage and two-stage revision procedures. One-stage revision may be performed in cases with acceptable tunnel position and adequate bone stock, whereas two-stage procedures with bone grafting are required in the presence of severe tunnel enlargement or overlap with the anatomical tunnel. Currently, anteromedial portal and outsidein techniques are widely used to achieve anatomic femoral tunnel placement. In conclusion, femoral tunnel management is a cornerstone of successful revision ACL reconstruction. Careful patient evaluation, detailed preoperative planning, and appropriate surgical strategies are essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes.

Anahtar Kelimeler : anterior cruciate ligament; revision surgery; femoral tunnel; tunnel widening; tunnel malposition