[Transpatellar "W" cerclage with anterior tension band for fixation of transverse fractures of the patella].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate functional outcomes in postoperative period in patients with displaced transverse fracture of the patella treated with anterior tension band and double knot fixation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multicentric case series: Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery Hospitals "Lomas Verdes" and "Magdalena de las Salinas" of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).

PATIENTS: eighteen patients with displaced transverse fracture of the patella, treated with open reduction and fixation with 1.2 mm ASIF wire in a parallel transpatellar and anterior tension band with a double knot disposition.

VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Flexion, knee function, visual analogous scale (VAS) for pain, surgical procedure time, and consolidation.

RESULTS: Male 13 (68.4%); female 5 (26.3%); surgical procedure time 63.2 +/- 11.2 minutes; age 38.2 +/- 12.8; body mass index (BMI) 15.6 +/- 3.8; height 163 cm +/- 12.2; flexion at 4 weeks follow-up 6.3 +/- 0.9, at 8 weeks follow-up 91.5 +/- 13.2 and at 24 months follow-up 101.1 +/- 12.2; VAS for pain at 4 weeks follow-up 6.3 +/- 0.9, vs. pain at 8 weeks follow-up 3.5 +/- 1.2 (p < 0001); IKDC at 8 weeks follow-up 71.3 +/- 6, at 12 months follow-up 76.7 +/- 5.2, vs. IKDC at 24 months follow-up 84.9 +/- 7.7 (p<0.05). Fracture consolidation was accomplished at 12 weeks in 94%, and 1 patient presented infection (6%).

CONCLUSIONS: We accomplished satisfactory functional outcomes in patients with transverse patellar fractures using this technique.