. 2020 Sep 15;9(10):e1459–e1465. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2020.06.006

Table 2.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Using a Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for ACL Reconstruction

Advantages	Disadvantages
• Preliminary results show lower rates of graft retear with quadriceps autograft compared with hamstring autograft. • Full-thickness graft is consistently larger and more robust than a partial-thickness graft. • A 5-cm incision allows for direct visualization and facilitates full-thickness harvest and secure closure. • All-soft tissue graft avoids the potential of patella fracture postoperative and the diminishes the risk of a physeal bar in the pediatric and young adolescent patient.	• Open full-thickness harvest requires a slightly larger (5 cm) incision compared with a partial-thickness “minimally invasive” 2-cm approach. • There is potential for injury at the muscle–tendon junction during the proximal aspect of the quadriceps harvest.

Advantages

Disadvantages

•
Preliminary results show lower rates of graft retear with quadriceps autograft compared with hamstring autograft.
•
Full-thickness graft is consistently larger and more robust than a partial-thickness graft.
•
A 5-cm incision allows for direct visualization and facilitates full-thickness harvest and secure closure.
•
All-soft tissue graft avoids the potential of patella fracture postoperative and the diminishes the risk of a physeal bar in the pediatric and young adolescent patient.

•
Open full-thickness harvest requires a slightly larger (5 cm) incision compared with a partial-thickness “minimally invasive” 2-cm approach.
•
There is potential for injury at the muscle–tendon junction during the proximal aspect of the quadriceps harvest.

ACL, anterior cruciate ligament.