[Transpatellar "W" cerclage with anterior tension band for fixation of transverse fractures of the patella].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate functional outcomes in postoperative period in patients with displaced transverse fracture of the patella treated with anterior tension band and double knot fixation.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Multicentric case series: Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery Hospitals "Lomas Verdes" and "Magdalena de las Salinas" of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

PATIENTS: eighteen patients with displaced transverse fracture of the patella, treated with open reduction and fixation with 1.2 mm ASIF wire in a parallel transpatellar and anterior tension band with a double knot disposition.

VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Flexion, knee function, visual analogous scale (VAS) for pain, surgical procedure time, and consolidation.

RESULTS

Male 13 (68.4%); female 5 (26.3%); surgical procedure time 63.2 +/- 11.2 minutes; age 38.2 +/- 12.8; body mass index (BMI) 15.6 +/- 3.8; height 163 cm +/- 12.2; flexion at 4 weeks follow-up 6.3 +/- 0.9, at 8 weeks follow-up 91.5 +/- 13.2 and at 24 months follow-up 101.1 +/- 12.2; VAS for pain at 4 weeks follow-up 6.3 +/- 0.9, vs. pain at 8 weeks follow-up 3.5 +/- 1.2 (p < 0001); IKDC at 8 weeks follow-up 71.3 +/- 6, at 12 months follow-up 76.7 +/- 5.2, vs. IKDC at 24 months follow-up 84.9 +/- 7.7 (p<0.05). Fracture consolidation was accomplished at 12 weeks in 94%, and 1 patient presented infection (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

We accomplished satisfactory functional outcomes in patients with transverse patellar fractures using this technique.