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Published on: May 20, 2019
Suture tension-band fixation for patella fractures
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre and Amager Hospital, Denmark.
Introduction:
Metallic tension-band wiring with K-wires and cerclage: tension-band wiring (TBW) remains the gold standard for surgery for patella fractures. Re-operation due to symptomatic implants is common. Non-metallic options, such as suture tension-band fixation (STBF), could be a solution. This study aimed to compare an STBF group with a TBW group with respect to complications and implant removal, and to describe the clinical results of the STBF group.
Methods:
All patient files with a patella fracture operated at our institution from 1 January 2016 to 19 August 2019 were reviewed on 1 May 2023. The prospective STBF group included all patients consecutively enrolled between 1 November 2018 and 19 August 2019. The historical TBW group included all patients consecutively enrolled from 1 January 2016 to 31 October 2018.
Results:
The mean follow-up for the STBF (n = 24) group was 49 (44-54) months; for the TBW (n = 37) group, 74 (54-88) months. Seven of 23 patients in the STBF group and 19 of 36 in the TBW group had complications (p = 0.11). The STBF group had fewer adverse events than the TBW group, including fewer re-operations for symptomatic implants and fewer early secondary displacements (p = 0.06). No deep infections occurred in the STBF group. At the six-month follow-up, the STBF group had 23/24 unions.
Conclusion:
STBF was not associated with higher complication rates than TBW fixation.
Funding:
Department internal funding exclusively.
Trial Registration:
Not relevant.
