macroscopic and microscopic studies were conducted in order to observe the morphologicla changes of the donor site of patellar ligament which was usef or endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in
12 patients among 118 consecutive series.
In macroscopic finding, a donor site was dimpled, severely adherent adherent to paratenon, which was filled with fibrous connecitve tissues and showed active bleeding at biopsy until up 8 months after harvesting of
patellar tendon graft.
After 12 months the donor site showed slightly less dimpling and adherence to paratenon. And bleeding tendency was also decreased.
After 16 months the donor site was relatively less dimpled and adherent to paratenon.
After 24 months the donor site was much less dimpled, which was filled with the mature fibrous connective tissues.
In microscopic study, hypercellularity of ovoid or spindle fibroblast, hypervascularization, loose arrangement and loss of crimp pattern of collagen fibers were observed at 5 months follow-up after harvesting. This finding was continued until 7
months.
After 12 months in spite of increased cellularity and vascularization, crimp pattern of collagen fibers and parallel arrangement of fibroblast were not observed.
After 16 months decreased cellularity decreased vascularity, and randomly arranged fibroblasts were observed.
After 24 months celluarity o fibroblast and vascularization were decreased nearly to normal level, however crimp pattern of collagen fibers and parallel arrangement of fibroblast to collagen fibers were still absent.
Therefore these results indicate that the donor site of patellar ligament was replaced by the fibrous scar tissues rather than ligament until 24 months after harvesting.
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