Preoperative anthropometric correlation of peroneus longus graft in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction: A prospective study.

Title of the project**:** Preoperative anthropometric correlation of peroneus longus graft in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction: A prospective study.

Type of Study: Single center prospective longitudinal descriptive study

Aims & objectives:

AIM: To potentially predict the peroneus longus graft dimensions using pre-operative anthropometric measurements in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: - To measure and document patient characteristics such as height, weight, BMI, leg length and calf circumference

• To assess correlation between anthropometric measurements and peroneus longus graft measurements

• To use preoperative anthropometric values to predict need for augmentation of graft

Departments involved: Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

Study period: from July 2024 to May 2026

Sample size: 113

Calculated using Cochran’s sample size formula: n= z ² x p x (1-p) e² p=population size, e=margin of error, z=z value from z table

Calculated based on the study done by Rhatomy et al [14] Using prvalance= 8%, with 95% CI, and precision level of 5%, the calculation: (1.96)² x 0.08 x (0.92)/(0.05)² = Sample size = 113

Methodology:

The anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, body mass index, calf circumference and leg length (Medial joint line of knee to medial malleolus) will be preoperatively assessed. The length of peroneus longus will be measured intraoperatively immediately after harvesting. The doubled/ tripled/ quadrupled length and thickness of the peroneus longus graft will also be measured intraoperatively after preparing and tensioning the graft. The grafts will be taken by a single surgeon from the ipsilateral limb using a standard vertical supra malleolar incision at the distal end of the peroneus longus muscle and harvested in an identical fashion. The grafts will be measured intraoperatively by standard metal scales after removing muscle fibers and final trimmings of the tendon. The doubled, tripled or quadrupled graft will be passed through the Smith and Nephew sizing cylinder of 0.5mm increments till the minimum diameter that allows smooth passage of the graft which is taken as the thickness of the quadrupled graft. The femoral tunnel will be the same thickness as that of the graft. Both femoral and tibial fixation techniques will be identical in all procedures. The data will be compiled, scrutinized and evaluated to reach a conclusion regarding the relationship between peroneus longus graft dimensions and the patient’s anthropometric values.

All these procedures are part of standard of care. No additional procedures have been included in the study.