[Clinical study on chitosan in prevention of knee adhesion after patellar operation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical effect of chitosan in prevention of knee dysfunction due to adhesion after operation for patellar fracture.


METHODS
From March to October 1999, 40 cases of patellar fracture were treated by internal fixation, with intra-articular injection of 2% chitosan in only 24 cases after fixation and with no chitosan injection in 16 cases (control group). The function of the knee joint, including extension and flexion, was evaluated 1 month and 1 year after operation respectively.


RESULTS
One month after operation, the knees with chitosan injection could actively move in the average range of 104 degrees +/- 23 degrees, and the knees in the control group could move in the average range of 72 degrees +/- 16 degrees, which showed significant difference between two groups (P < 0.01); 1 year after operation, the range of movement of the knees with injection was 165 degrees +/- 38 degrees on average, and that of the knees in the control group was 110 degrees +/- 31 degrees, which also indicated significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Medical chitosan could effectively prevent or reduce the post-operative adhesion of knee joint after patellar operation.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China 200003.
Rui-sheng
RS
Xu
Chun-lin
CL
Hou
Cheng-hui
CH
Yin
Yong-sheng
YS
Wang
Ai-min
AM
Chen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002686:Chitin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002686:Chitin