[Dynamic cerclage wiring of patellar fractures. Complications and midterm functional results].

BACKGROUND

Preserving the patella and its accurate anatomic reduction after fracture is extremely important to avoid retropatellar arthrosis.

METHODS

The data of 50 patients with patellar fractures treated by cerclage wiring was analyzed in relation to complications. In addition, 37 patients were called in for follow-up examination, and the functional results were assessed according to the Tegner and Lyshom scores.

RESULTS

Minor complications occurred in 50% and major complications in 30% of cases. Despite the high complication rate, 70% of the examined patients revealed excellent to good objective or subjective results, while 10% of the patients showed poor results. No correlation existed between the fracture severity and the complication rate on the one hand or the postoperative objective outcome on the other hand.

CONCLUSION

Operative treatment of patellar fractures is still demanding. Although most of the examined patients were quite satisfied and demonstrated excellent to good results, the high complication rate is reason to take other methods of internal fixation into consideration to further optimize results.