The "swashbuckler": a modified anterior approach for fractures of the distal femur.
A modified anterior approach to the distal femur is presented. The approach allows surgical exposure of the entire articular surface of the distal femur. The quadriceps muscle bellies are spared during the approach. The skin incision used will not interfere with subsequent total knee arthroplasty, if posttraumatic arthritis develops and arthroplasty is necessary.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8883, USA.
A J
AJ
Starr
A L
AL
Jones
C M
CM
Reinert
D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity