Arthroscopic fixation of intercondylar eminence fractures using a 4-portal technique.
OBJECTIVE
We report an easy-to-use 4-portal technique for arthroscopic treatment of intercondylar eminence fractures and compare results of 2 groups of cases, adolescents and adults, and 2 types of internal fixation, sutures and screws.


METHODS
Surgical technique and retrospective study.


METHODS
The study was carried on 2 groups of patients, adolescents and adults, with intercondylar eminence fractures who were treated arthroscopically. For internal fixation, sutures were used in 8 adolescents and screws were used in 13 adults. In the technique we describe, anteromedial superior and inferior, and anterolateral superior and inferior portals were used.


RESULTS
The average follow-up period for the adolescents was 27.3 months (range, 11 to 57 months), and for the adults was 19.6 months (range, 7 to 71 months). We did not encounter any cases of nonunion. There were only 3 complications, 1 of arthrofibrosis resulting from a delay of rehabilitation due to a vascular compromise and 2 cases of tenderness over the screw that responded well to its removal. Union occurred earlier in adolescents, but rehabilitation was easier in adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Beside satisfactory results obtained by arthroscopic treatment of intercondylar eminence fractures, arthroscopy also provides the possibility to determine and treat associated pathologies. With the experience we gained, the procedure with the 4-portal technique in treating these fractures became much easier as a routine approach.
Binnet
M S
MS
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ibn-I Sina Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. msbinnet@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Gürkan
I
I
Yilmaz
C
C
Karakas
A
A
Cetin
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016474:Weight-Bearing