• Ningfang Mao, Haijian Ni, Wenbin Ding, Xiaodong Zhu, Yushu Bai, Chuanfeng Wang, Yingchuan Zhao, Zhicai Shi, Ming Li, and Qiulin Zhang.
• Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
• J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012 Apr 1;72(4):1056-61.

BackgroundTransverse patella fractures are the most common type of patella fractures. Minimally invasive surgical technique for treatment of transverse patella fractures with the Cable Pin System has not been previously reported.MethodsThirty-four patients with displaced transverse fractures of the patella were included in this prospective study and were operatively treated by the Cable Pin System with a minimally invasive technique. Postoperative evaluation was based on radiographs, Visual Analog Scale of pain, range of motion, and Bostman grading scale.ResultsA total of 31 patients were finally included, with an average follow-up period of 21 months. The average operation time was 48 minutes. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used for 2 to 4 times (average: 2.4 times). Radiographic evidence of solid fracture union was observed in all cases in a mean period of 7.2 weeks. The Visual Analog Scale score for pain was 3.3 ± 1.4 and 1.5 ± 1.3 at 4 weeks after surgery and when radiographic fracture healing was achieved, respectively. Twenty-nine patients achieved full knee range of motion, while two patients had 10° loss of full flexion at the final follow-up visit. The average Bostman score was 29.1/30 (range, 27-30) at 1 year after surgery, and an evaluation of "excellent" was observed in 30 patients at the final follow-up visit.ConclusionSurgical treatment of transverse patella fractures by the Cable Pin System with a minimally invasive technique was shown to provide satisfactory clinical results and excellent knee functions, with less pain and low incidence of complications. It could be a new option for treatment of transverse patella fractures.

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