Study of Relationship Between Diameter of Prepared Hamstring Graft Harvested for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Anthropometric Measurements

Introduction: If the possibility of obtaining a hamstring graft of substandard diameter can be predicted, the prolonged duration of surgery, donor site morbidity and graft wastage can be avoided. Previous studies have correlated anthropometric measurements of the patient as a predictor while some believe that the level of muscle activity that determines the quality of harvested graft. Our study aimed to determine whether a suboptimal graft diameter can be predicted beforehand using anthropometry. We also studied the correlation between level of sports activity by an individual and diameter of the hamstring graft obtained. Methodology: An observational descriptive study where anthropometric measurements were made on postoperative patients of Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR). The details of graft type used, and it's measured diameter was collected through operative notes retrospectively.For anthropometric measurements, every patient's Height (H), Weight (W), Body Mass Index (BMI), Thigh Girth (TG), Thigh Length (TL) were recorded. Data was represented in Microsoft Excel which was subsequently imported in SPSS software and statistically analyzed. Results: Height (p<0.001) and Thigh length (p<0.001) have the strongest correlation with graft diameter for quadrupled hamstring graft during ACL reconstructions in age group 16-50 years. Predictive value of other measurements such as Weight, BMI and thigh girth is statistically insignificant. More involvement in sports activity correlates with larger hamstring graft diameters with the correlation being statistically significant (p<0.003). Conclusion: Consideration of other graft options must always be explored while managing ACLRs with quadrupled hamstring graft in short and/or sedentary individuals.