title: Double fixation of displaced patella fractures using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new double fixation technique for displaced patellar fractures using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients (mean age of 46.2 years) with displaced transverse or comminuted patella fractures were enrolled in this prospective study. All of the patients were treated via the open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands. The patients were followed post-surgery to evaluate (1) the time required for radiographic bone union, (2) the knee joint range of motion at the time of radiographic bone union, (3) the degree of pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), (4) the function of the knee using the Lysholm score and (5) the presence of any additional complications from the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the patients were followed post-treatment for more than 1 year (range, 12-19 months; mean post-treatment follow up time, 14 months). The bone union of the fractures as seen radiographically occurred approximately 3 months from surgery in all cases without implant failure or redisplacement of the fractured site. The mean knee joint range of motion was from 0 to 134.6°, and the mean VAS score was 0.7 at the time of bone union. The mean Lysholm scores at the time of bone union and 12 months post-surgery were 86.7 and 95.7, respectively. No postoperative complications, such as infection, dislocation or breakage of the implants, were observed. Moreover, all of the patients returned to their previous activity level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new double fixation technique using bioabsorbable cannulated lag screws and braided polyester suture tension bands resulted in satisfactory outcomes for patella fractures without any obvious complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. liqimm@163.com
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Cao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tang
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Pei Fu
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tianfu
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jian
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters