[Morphologic characteristics and static resistance of transplanted patellar ligaments after replacement of the cruciate ligaments in the knee--an experimental study in a dog].
An experimental study on transplantation validity of patella's ligament, when transplanting front crossed ligament, was performed on 106 knees in 53 grown-up dogs. The investigation had three stages. Three months after the transplantation of the front crossed ligament with the medial third part of the patella's ligament animals were sacrificed and in one group the static resistance and the resistance to elongation, by using special tweezers (Alfred Amsler Co., Schafhausen, Switzerland), was investigated. The results showed that the patella's ligament is very suitable for transplantation because its resistance and strength were almost identical with the same parameters of intact front crossed ligament. Revascularization of the new ligament using Spaltenholz's technique was done in the second group, and three months after the operation, complete revascularization of transplants took place. The synovial membrane which covers the new ligament represents the main source of fresh blood vessels on one side, while similar process takes place along the bone tunnels where the new ligament was fixed. The new ligament histologic analysis carried out in the third group of experimental animals showed that after three months the transplant acquires the structure which is very similar to the front crossed ligament. The obtained results of the investigation show that the patella's ligament is a very good biologic material for transplantation of the crossed ligament.