• Stefano Divano, Andrea Camera, Stefano Biggi, Stefano Tornago, Matteo Formica, and Lamberto Felli.
• Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, UO Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, largo R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, GE, Italy. ste.divano@hotmail.com.
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2018 Mar 1; 138 (3): 387-399.

IntroductionTibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a well-established extensile approach to improve joint visualization and implant removal. Despite this, TTO is a challenging technique with a long learning curve and potential pitfalls. Complications are not infrequent, even if performing the correct surgical steps. Aim of this paper is to review the current literature about TTO, its safeness and reliability, and finally the complications rate.Materials And MethodsWe performed a systematic review of the available English literature, considering the outcomes and the complications of TTO. The combinations of keyword were "tibial tubercle osteotomy", "total knee arthroplasty", "total knee revision", "outcomes", "complication" and "surgical approach".ResultsFrom the starting 322 papers available, 26 manuscripts were finally included. Most of the papers show significant improvements in clinical outcomes, both in primary and in revision procedures. Radiographic fragment healing is close to 100%. Related complications can range from 3.8-20%.ConclusionTTO may be necessary to correct pathological tuberosity position or patella tracking. However, TTO is a challenging technique to improve the surgical approach during total knee arthroplasty. A strict surgical technique can lead to better results and to minimize complications. However, it is not clear if the improved outcome can outweigh the longer surgery and the higher risk of pitfalls.

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