Doha, Qatar; 27 April 2008: Aspetar, Qatar's Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, was the first hospital in Qatar to carry out a double bundle arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction on Wednesday 23 April 2008.  The operation was led by Aspetar's Chief of Surgery, Craig R Bottoni, MD, who developed this new surgical technique in 2003 and has used it in over 100 operations prior to Aspetar.

Craig R Bottoni, MD, assisted by Nebojsa Popovic, MD, and Mohammed Al Ateeq, MD, reconstructed the PCL with a donated ligament (allograft). The two bundles of the PCL are separately reconstructed, thus restoring the anatomical structure and stability to the knee.  The use of this technique has been shown by biomechanical testing to better re-create the native posterior cruciate ligament function. 

Craig R Bottoni, MD, commented: "This is a relatively new technique but we believe it facilitates graft passage and makes a difficult operation slightly less challenging.  It is our intention at Aspetar to become a PCL referral centre for the region."

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Notes to Editors:
Aspetar is a specialist orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital based in Doha, Qatar.  Its superior health care services and medical technology together with an outstanding team of health professionals has created a unique facility within the Middle East.  For further information visit www.aspetar.com

Craig R Bottoni, MD, is Assistant CMO, Chief of Surgery and Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon. He has extensive experience in knee cartilage and ligament injuries and their surgical treatment. His achievements include Chief of Sports Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii and Sports Medicine Consultant, US Pacific Command; Senior Medical Consultant, US Special Forces;  2007 AOSSM (American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) O'Donohue Sports Injury Research Award for research into optimal timing of ACL surgery; 2005 AOSSM Excellence in Research Award for research on arthroscopic shoulder surgery; 2000 AOSSM Aircast Award for Clinical Science for research on early treatment of shoulder dislocations with arthroscopic repair.  Craig was also former President of the Hawaii Orthopaedic Association and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons.  

For further information please contact:
Ruth Wicks
Aspetar
Ruth.wicks@aspetar.com
Tel: +974 413 2112

© Press Release 2008