Quality of YouTubeTM videos regarding ACL reconstruction using quadriceps tendon autograft is unsatisfactory.

PURPOSE:This study aimed to assess the validity and informational value of teaching material regarding anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) using quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft provided on the YouTubeTM video platform. METHODS:An extensive systematic search of the YouTubeTM video platform was performed, and all videos that met the criteria were included in the analysis. The analysis of the video content was performed using the DISCERN instrument, Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and Global Quality Score (GQS). The duration of the videos, the date of publication, and the number of likes and views were recorded. Furthermore, videos were categorized based on the source (physicians, companies, patients), the subject (surgical technique, patient experience and overview [overview videos were videos in which multiple aspects were analyzed]) and the type of content (educational or subjective patient experience). RESULTS:A total of 88 videos were included in the analysis. Seventy-one (80.7%) videos were published by physicians, 15 (17.0%) by patients and 2 (2.3%) by companies. The majority of the videos described various surgical techniques (59 - 67.0%), 80.7% of the videos (72 - 81.8%) had an educational nature, and the remaining 18.2% described patient experiences. The mean length of the videos was 8.21 ±7.88 minutes. The mean number of views was 3988.51 ±9792.98 (range: 9-56047), while the mean numbers of comments and likes were 30.07±70.07 (range: 0-493) and 4.48 ±14.22 (range: 0-82), respectively. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 27.43 ±11.56 (95% CI: 25.01-29.85; range: 17-68), 1.22 ±0.85 (95% CI: 1.04-1.40; range: 0-3), and 1.82 ±0.93 (95% CI: 1.63-2.01; range: 1-4), respectively. For all scores, videos published by physicians had higher quality (DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS) (p<0.05). Among all of the analyzed videos, overview videos were of the highest quality (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:YouTube™ is a fast and open-access source of mass information. The overall quality of the videos on ACL reconstruction performed using QT autograft was unsatisfactory, demonstrating low educational quality and reliability. Currently, YouTube™ cannot be recommended as a reliable source of information on ACL reconstruction with the quadriceps tendon.