Abstract
This retrospective study compared the perioperative morbidity of two consecutive groups of patients having primary total knee arthroplasty thru subvastus approach and conventional medial parapatellar approach.
The arthroplasties were performed in consecutive cases of the subvastus group(SV) (21 TKAs in 21 patients) from Dec. 1999 to May 2000 using a subvastus approach and in the control group(CY) of same operator(Y) (26 TKAs in 26 patients) from May 1999 to Nov. 1999 using medial parapatellar approach, and in the second control group(CB) (24 TKAs in 24 patients) from May 1999 to May 2000 using medial parapatellar approach by another operator (L).
The patient perioperative morbidities were evaluated including blood loss, blood transfusion, lateral release, pain condition, time to ROM 90 degrees, skin complication, admission days.
The subvastus group showed less time to gain 90-ROM(6.09, 6.8, 7.85), and less hospitalization days(10.43, 11.3, 12.15). But the SV group also showed higher rate of lateral release(13%, 8%, 12%) and skin complication(9%). Although the difference is not statistically significant.
The authors concluded that the subvastus approach led to early ROM rehabilitation and discharge.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Jegan Krishnan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park 5047, Australia.
