Varying femoral-sided fixation techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have similar clinical outcomes: a network meta-analysis

Importance There is significant controversy regarding the optimal femoral fixation method in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Given the importance of ACL reconstruction in patient return to sport and quality of life, it is imperative to identify the optimal method of femoral fixation. Objective The primary objective of this study is to identify the optimal method of femoral fixation in ACL reconstruction with soft tissue grafts. There are three main techniques for femoral-sided fixation in ACL reconstruction: suspensory extracortical buttons (EC), interference screws (IS) and transfemoral crosspins (TF). Previous primary studies have provided conflicting results regarding the superior method, and prior systematic reviews have failed to identify a difference; however, these analyses were only able to make comparisons between two of the treatments directly. This study employed a network meta-analysis technique to maximise sample size and statistical power, increasing the validity of its findings. Evidence review A network meta-analysis was conducted using results from 19 randomised controlled trials. Only studies with level I or II evidence, directly comparing two interventions in ACL soft tissue graft reconstruction, were included. Graft failure rates, International Knee Documentation Committee scores and KT-1000 knee arthrometer scores were the primary outcomes measured. Secondary outcomes included Lysholm, Tegner, Lachman and Pivot Shift scores. Findings An overall sample of 1372 patients was analysed. No statistically significant differences were detected among outcomes, except for the KT-1000 analysis which slightly favoured EC over IS and TF fixation (mean difference (MD)=−0.53 mm; 95% CI −0.07 to –0.98), and TF over IS fixation (MD=−0.41 mm; 95% CI −0.05 to –0.76). The clinical consequences of this difference are likely minimal. Conclusions Based on the results of this network meta-analysis, there is no clear statistically superior method of femoral fixation in soft tissue ACL reconstruction. Level of evidence Level II (systematic review of level I and II studies).