title: Comparison of a technique using a new percutaneous osteosynthesis device with conventional open surgery for displaced patella fractures in a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the percutaneous patellar osteosynthesis system (PPOS) technique with open surgery for patella fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referral orthopedic and trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patients with displaced patellar fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stabilization and fixation of patellar fractures with PPOS or open surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knee-flexion and -extension angles, pain, surgical time, and assessment of knee function based on the Knee Society Clinical Rating Scale (KSCRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of PPOS and open-surgery groups at 4 weeks showed the following: pain, 3.7 +/- 1.6 versus 6.2 +/- 1.4 arbitrary units, P < 0.001; flexion angle, 46 +/- 20.7 versus 12.7 +/- 6.0 degrees, P < 0.001; extension angle, -2.5 versus -3.8 degrees, P < 0.001. At 8 weeks, the following was demonstrated: pain, 1.3 +/- 1.6 versus 4.1 +/- 2.1 arbitrary units, P < 0.001; flexion angle, 87 +/- 17.3 versus 34 +/- 26 degrees, P < 0.001; extension angle, 0 versus -3 degrees, P < 0.001. Surgical time was 35.3 +/- 7.8 versus 66.2 +/- 14.1 minutes, P < 0.001. KSCRS assessment was 84 +/- 4 versus 70 +/- 8, P < 0.001 at 8 weeks; 85 +/- 2 versus 73 +/- 8, P < 0.001 at 12 months; and 85 +/- 1 versus 82 +/- 7, P = 0.246 at 24 months. Frequency of total complications (infections, fragment displacement, and wire-related pain) was significantly lower in the PPOS than in the open-surgery group (P < 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PPOS for patella fractures was associated with shorter surgical time, less pain, better mobility angles, higher functional score up to 2 years, and a lower incidence of complications than open surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Knee Joint Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgery, Hospital de Ortopedia, Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico. daniello1965@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luna-Pizarro
authors.forename: Dante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arellano
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Rojas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries*; D014193:Trauma Centers