title: Surgical treatment of transverse patella fractures by the cable pin system with a minimally invasive technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transverse patella fractures are the most common type of patella fractures. Minimally invasive surgical technique for treatment of transverse patella fractures with the Cable Pin System has not been previously reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with displaced transverse fractures of the patella were included in this prospective study and were operatively treated by the Cable Pin System with a minimally invasive technique. Postoperative evaluation was based on radiographs, Visual Analog Scale of pain, range of motion, and Bostman grading scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 31 patients were finally included, with an average follow-up period of 21 months. The average operation time was 48 minutes. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used for 2 to 4 times (average: 2.4 times). Radiographic evidence of solid fracture union was observed in all cases in a mean period of 7.2 weeks. The Visual Analog Scale score for pain was 3.3 ± 1.4 and 1.5 ± 1.3 at 4 weeks after surgery and when radiographic fracture healing was achieved, respectively. Twenty-nine patients achieved full knee range of motion, while two patients had 10° loss of full flexion at the final follow-up visit. The average Bostman score was 29.1/30 (range, 27-30) at 1 year after surgery, and an evaluation of "excellent" was observed in 30 patients at the final follow-up visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical treatment of transverse patella fractures by the Cable Pin System with a minimally invasive technique was shown to provide satisfactory clinical results and excellent knee functions, with less pain and low incidence of complications. It could be a new option for treatment of transverse patella fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ningfang
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Haijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Wenbin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yushu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Chuanfeng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yingchuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Zhicai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiulin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001858:Bone Nails; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult