Vancomycin Wrap for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery: Molecular Insights

Background: The use of the vancomycin wrap to pretreat hamstring graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has grown popularity since it was first described 2012 and significantly reduced rates postoperative infection. However, remains unknown if this antibiotic treatment affects molecular composition graft. Purpose: To establish whether with at 5 mg/mL, most commonly used concentration, alters function ACLR. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Surplus tendon collected after routine ACLR surgery for vitro cell culture ex vivo tissue experiments. Vancomycin mg/mL RPMI or saline diluent treat cells tissue, respectively, control conditions. Cell viability 30, 60, 120 minutes assessed via colorimetric assay. Tendon treated experimental conditions 1 hour evaluated using semiquantitative reverse transcription analysis, immunohistochemistry staining, protein quantitation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay changes apoptotic, matrix, inflammatory gene expression. Results: tenocyte 60 ( P < .05); however, not sustained minutes. Vancomycin-treated showed no significant increase apoptotic expression, levels supernatant, vivo. associated a reduction proteins from supernatants (IL-6; .05). Conclusion: did alter structure Reductions matrix cytokine release point potential beneficial effect generating homeostatic environment. Clinical Relevance: ACL does may improve integrity.