Effect of multiple instrumentation changing in transportal and transtibial techniques for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction regarding bacterial contamination: a randomized controlled study

Background In transtibial technique (TT) for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) few instruments pass through the anteromedial portal track (probe, basket, diathermy), but in transportal (Anteromedial portal [AMP]) technique a lot of instruments pass through the anteromedial portal track (probe, basket, diathermy, wire, drill, and screw). Purpose To detect the instrumentation changing effect regarding bacterial contamination in transportal technique and TT for ACL-R. Type of study Randomized controlled study. Patients and methods A total of 80 patients who preceded arthroscopic ACL-R in Assiut Arthroscopy and Sport Injuries Unit in Assiut University Hospital between March 2021 and September 2021 were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 26 years. Of the patients, 68 cases were males and 12 cases were females. Thirty-five patients underwent the procedure using the TT technique and 45 patients by the AMP technique, through computed randomization. Cotton swabs had been taken of the subcutaneous tissue at the anteromedial portal track in transportal technique and TT before and after instrumentation and femoral tunnel drilling; a control sample was taken from anterolateral track in both techniques. Results There were no positive swabs in both TT and transportal technique in all patients included in the study. Conclusion There is no effect of changing multiple instrumentation on bacterial contamination in transportal technique and TT for ACL reconstruction.