OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effects of Kirschner wire with hole transverse fixation combined with titanium cable purse string suture in treating refractory fracture of patellar comminuted fracture.

METHODSFrom January 2014 to January 2016, 17 comminuted fracture treated by Kirschner wire with hole transverse fixation combined with titanium cable purse string suture were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 males and 7 females aged from 28 to 67 years old with an average of (48.7±3.2) years old. According to AO/OTA fracture classification, all fractures were type 34-C3.2. Operative time, blood loss, intervals of the first functional exercise postoperatively and complications were observed. Meanwhile, function recovery was evaluated by Böstman scoring at 10 months after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of(14.6±2.1) months ranged from 10 to 24 months. All incisions healed at stage I. Clinical fracture healing time ranged from 11.7 to 16.5 weeks with an average of (12.7±1.7) weeks; operative time ranged from 67 to 95 min with an average of (71.4±11.5) min; blood loss ranged from 41 to 72 ml with an average of (57.0±7.5) ml; the first time of functional exercise ranged from 2 to 5 d with an average of (2.2±1.7) d. No complications including Kirschner pin stabbing the skin, loose or slippery of Kirschner pin, bursitis with pain brought by tip of Kirschner pin, wire escaped and broken occurred. Postoperative Böstman score at 10 months were 28.15±1.74, 12 patients got excellent results, 4 well and 1 lose.

CONCLUSIONSKirschner wire with hole transverse fixation combined with titanium cable purse string suture in treating refractory fracture of patellar comminuted fracture has advantages of simple operation, good anatomical reduction, stable fixation and less complications, which is worth popularizing.