Complications of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using two transverse patellar tunnels.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the complication rate after a medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using transverse patellar tunnels in a retrospective case series performed in a single institution.

METHODS

Case series of 179 patients (192 knees) that had an MPFL reconstruction, with or without additional bony realignment procedures, between January 2009 and March 2015. Data were obtained from available patient charts.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine complications (20.3 %) were registered. Twenty-seven of these (14.7 %) were minor. Seven patients (3.6 %) sustained a patellar fracture without adequate trauma. Male gender was a risk factor for patellar fracture (p < 0.001). Sixteen (8.1 %) reported recurrence of instability, of whom 10 (5.1 %) were defined as objective instability (reported dislocation and positive apprehension test).

CONCLUSION

This is largest patient series to date in which the complications after a two tunnel MPFL reconstruction are described. The use of transverse patellar tunnels increases the risk of sustaining a patellar fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.