ObjectiveTo compare the widening of bone tunnels between poly-etheretherketone (PEEK), absorbable polylactic acid DL (PLDL) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) interference screws in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsThree groups of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with at least 1 year of follow-up using the out-in drilling technique and hamstring as a graft were assessed. The patients were divided according to the type of interference screw used (PEEK, PLDL and TCP). Computed tomography (CT) was performed to measure the greatest femoral and tibial tunnel widening regarding to the initial tunnel, and then it was compared between groups.ResultsMean widening in group 1 (PEEK) was 39.56% (SD 16%) in the femoral tunnel and 33.65% (SD 20%) in the tibia. In group 2 (PLDL) mean widening was 48.43% in the femoral tunnel (SD 18%) and 35.24% (SD 13%) in the tibial tunnel. In group 3 (TCP) mean widening was 44.51% in the femur (SD 14%) and 36.83% in the tibia (SD 14%). The comparison between groups (PLDL-PEEK, PLDL-TCP, PEEK-TCP) shows no statistically significant difference.ConclusionBone tunnel enlargement values after ACL reconstruction with the use of different types of materials (bioinert and biomaterials) of interference screws (PEEK, PLDL and TCP) were similar. Level of Evidence III, Comparative retrospective study.

This paper analyzes the influence of infrared radiation (IR) on regeneration, after autotomy of limb buds of Neohelice granulata and consequently the time molt. Eyestalks were ablated to synchronize the start of molt. Afterward, animals were autotomized of five pereopods and divided into control and irradiated groups. The irradiated group was treated for 30 min daily until molt. Limb buds from five animals of days 4, 16 and 20 were collected and histological sections were made from them. These sections were photographed and chitin and epithelium content measured. Another group was made, and after 15 days limb buds were extracted to analyze mitochondrial enzymatic activity from complex I and II. The irradiated group showed a significant reduction in molt time (19.38+/-1.22 days) compared with the control group (32.69+/-1.57 days) and also a significant increase in mitochondrial complex I (388.9+/-27.94%) and II (175.63+/-7.66%) in the irradiated group when compared with the control group (100+/-17.90; 100+/-7.82, respectively). However, these effects were not accompanied by histological alterations in relation to chitin and epithelium. This way, it was possible to demonstrate that IR increases complex I and II activity, reduces the time molt and consequently increases the appendage regeneration rate.