title: Treatment of transverse patellar fractures: a comparison between metallic and non-metallic implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several methods of transverse patellar fixation have been described. This study compares the clinical outcome and the occurrence of complications of various fixation methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Google were searched.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A direct comparison between fixation techniques using mixed or non-metallic implants and metallic K-wire and tension band fixation shows no significant difference in clinical outcome between both groups. Additionally, studies reporting novel operation techniques show good clinical results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies describing the treatment of patients using non-metallic or mixed implants are fewer compared with those using metallic fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large variety of clinical scoring systems were used for assessing the results of treatment, which makes direct comparison difficult.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More data of fracture treatment using non-metallic or mixed implants is needed to achieve a more balanced comparison.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten H G
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Heusinkveld
authors.forename: Anniek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: den Hamer
authors.forename: Willeke A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Traa
authors.forename: Pim J A
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Oomen
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001864:Bone Wires; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: internal fixation; patellar fracture; tension band wiring