Concomitant Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction and Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Do Not Increase the Incidence of 30-Day Complications: An Analysis of the NSQIP Database

BACKGROUND: Lateral patellar dislocations account for 2% to 3% of total knee injuries, especially in adolescents. Depending on the anatomic abnormality contributing to lateral patellar instability, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) and/or tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) may be indicated. PURPOSE: To assess the risk of adverse events (AEs) after TTO, MPFLR, and concomitant MPFLR and TTO. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Patients who underwent MPFLR, TTO, and concomitant MPFLR and TTO between 2005 and 2016 were identified through the American College of Surgeons–National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Medical complications (eg, surgical site infection and deep vein thrombosis), readmission rates, and extended hospital stay within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. Outcomes were compared with bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression. RESULTS: Out of 882 patients, 617 (70.0%) underwent isolated MPFLR, 170 (19.3%) underwent TTO, and 95 (10.8%) underwent concomitant MPFLR and TTO. The operative time for concomitant MPFLR and TTO was significantly longer (122 ± 45 minutes) compared with isolated MPFLR (97 ± 55 minutes; P < .001) and isolated TTO (89 ± 51 minutes; P < .001). There were 32 AEs (3.6%), with 10 AEs in the isolated TTO group (5.9%), 18 AEs in the isolated MPFLR group (2.9%), and 4 AEs in the MPFLR + TTO group (4.2%). There was no significant difference in the rate of AEs between the isolated MPFLR and isolated TTO groups (P = .1), isolated MPFLR and MPFLR + TTO groups (P = .5), and isolated TTO and MPFLR + TTO groups (P = .8). Diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk of developing an AE (odds ratio, 4.0; P = .003), and hypertension resulted in an increased risk of an extended hospital stay (odds ratio, 4.0; P = .010). CONCLUSION: While concomitant MPFLR and TTO significantly increased operative time, there was no difference in the rate of AEs, extended hospital stay, and readmissions within 30 days after isolated MPFLR, isolated TTO, and concomitant MPFLR and TTO.