Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured knee ligament and its injury can result in limitations in activities of daily living and mobility. [1] Surgical treatment is suggested in active young athletes, in patients who have combined ligament injuries, concomitant meniscal lesions, persistent pain despite the conservative treatments, or knee instability. In this sense, anatomical reconstruction with grafting is a well-established surgical method in the treatment of ACL injury. [2,3] Autografting, allografting, and synthetic grafting methods have been previously described for ACLObjectives: This study aims to compare the postoperative change of femoral and tibial tunnel widths after hamstring tendon (HT) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografting in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery with the anteromedial portal technique.Patients and methods: This case-control and retrospective study included 39 patients (36 males, 3 females; mean age 30.1±7.9; range, 17 to 44 years) who underwent primary ACL reconstruction surgery with either BPTB autografting method (BPTB group, n=18) or HT autografting method (HT group, n=21) between March 2014 and December 2016. Femoral fixation was achieved with bioabsorbable screw in BPTB group and endobutton in HT group. Tibial fixation was achieved with bioabsorbable interference screw in both groups. Femoral and tibial tunnel widths of groups were compared on digital radiographs.Results: When we compared the baseline values with the second-year results, the mean of femoral tunnel widths were significantly lower on radiographs at the second-year evaluation in both groups (p<0.001 for all). However, the means of tibial tunnel widths were significantly lower only in the BPTB group (p<0.001 for BPTB group and p=0.616 for HT group). Change levels of anteroposterior and lateral widths were more prominent in BPTB group than HT group (p<0.001 for all). Conclusion:Changes in tunnel widths show us superior ossification in BPTB grafting. This can be explained by superior bone-to-bone healing. As a result of radiological evaluation, we think that BPTB grafting can be more strong and durable.

Alginate (ALG) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. Mechanical weakness is one of the main problems for the alginate-based scaffolds. Various plasticizer additives or modifications tested to improve the mechanical properties. In the presented study, ALG plasticized with triacetin (TA), and tributyl citrate (TBC) than tested on bone healing. In the presented study, the alginate modified with triacetin or tributyl citrate. In-vitro, and in-vivo efficiency of the scaffolds tested on bone tissue regeneration. Scaffolds fabricated by solvent casting, and physicochemical characterizations performed. Monocytes (THP-1) cultured with scaffolds, and macrophage-released cytokines was determined. In-vivo efficacy of the scaffolds was tested in the rat drill hole model. Alginate and tributyl citrate-modified scaffolds have no cytotoxic effect on osteoblastic cells (MC-3T3). Tributyl citrate modification increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level but did not increase interleukin -1 beta (IL-1 beta) level. In vivo studies showed that osteoblastic growth was significant in alginate and triacetin-modified scaffolds. However, the best values for osteoclastic activity and osteoid tissue formation seen in the triacetin modification. The results demonstrated that the modified alginate scaffolds were more successful than non-modified alginate scaffolds and can used as long-term bone repairing treatments.