Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Autologous Microfractured and Purified Adipose Tissue for Arthroscopic Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Published on: January 23, 2018
The Midline Lateral Parapatellar Arthrotomy: A Safe Alternative Approach for Lateral Tibial Plateau Fractures
Nathan Heineman1, Alexander Turner1, Mingyuan Cheng2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Parkland Memorial Hospital, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; and.
Objectives:
The midline lateral parapatellar (LP) approach has been shown in a cadaveric study to provide superior articular exposure compared with the anterolateral approach (AL). The purpose of this study was to report on outcomes and complications with the LP approach.
Design:
Retrospective comparative cohort study and prospective cohort.
Setting:
Academic Level-I trauma center.
Patient Selection Criteria:
Adult patients with minimum 3 months follow-up who underwent open reduction internal fixation of an acute, isolated lateral tibial plateau fracture (OTA/AO 41-B1, 41-B2, 41-B3) through an LP arthrotomy or AL submeniscal arthrotomy between 2010 and 2019.
Outcome Measures And Comparisons:
Retrospective cohort evaluated using postoperative complications including infection, delayed wound healing, and reoperation rate. Prospective cohort evaluated using Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment, knee range of motion, and complications.
Results:
A total of 81 patients were studied. The mean age for the LP cohort was 41.5 years (19-79) and 18 of 32 (56.3%) patients were men. The mean age for the AL cohort was 42.8 years (18-71) and 29 of 49 (59.2%) patients were men. The mean age for patients in the prospective study was 31.4 years (19-59) and 9 of 14 (64.3%) patients were men. Mean follow-up was 9.3 months and 20.3 months for the retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. There was no significant difference in complication or reoperation rate ( P > 0.39). For the prospective cohort of 14 patients, mean range of motion was 130 degrees. Mean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment dysfunction index was 9.0 and mean bother index was 11.1.
Conclusions:
The LP approach resulted in comparable clinical and functional outcomes with those reported with the anterolateral approach. It is a safe alternative and may be of most benefit when treating comminuted lateral tibial plateau fractures.
Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
