Management of comminuted patellar fractures using suture reduction technique combined with the modified Kirschner-wire tension band

OBJECTIVES: Surgical management of comminuted patella fractures remains a major challenge for the surgeon. We developed a suture reduction (SR) technique to better preserve the comminuted patella. The study aimed to compare the suture reduction technique with conventional reduction (CR) technique in the management of comminuted patellar fractures using the modified Kirschner-wire (K-wire) tension band. METHODS: From May 2016 to September 2020, a total of 75 patients with comminuted patellar fracture were reviewed retrospectively. Among these cases, 35 patients were in the suture reduction group with a mean age of 52 years, while 40 patients were in the conventional reduction group with a mean age of 53 years. All cases were closed fractures. Comminuted patellar fractures were classified as type 34-C3 according to the AO/OTA classification. Radiographs of the knee were obtained at routine follow-up to evaluate the reduction quality and fracture union. Clinical outcomes including range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), Lysholm, and Böstman grading scales were measured at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The average time from injury to surgery was 5.4 days in suture reduction group and 3.7 days in conventional reduction group (p < 0.05). The surgical time of suture reduction group was less than that of conventional reduction group, but there was no significant difference (p = 0.110) regarding surgical time between the two groups. The average blood loss in suture reduction group was 42.9 ml, while the average blood loss in conventional reduction group was 69.3 ml (p < 0.001). There was no difference regarding fracture union, ROM and knee function score (Lysholm score and Böstman scale) between the two groups. The complication rates were 17.1% in suture reduction group and 12.5% in conventional reduction group respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of comminuted patellar fractures with modified K-wire tension band, the use of suture reduction technique can shorten the surgical time, reduce the surgical trauma, and obtain satisfactory results. This new surgical technique may be particularly effective in management of comminuted patellar fractures when patellectomy would otherwise be considered.