Comparison of the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches versus the standard parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
verfasst von:
Xiaochun Peng, Xianlong Zhang, Tao Cheng, Mengqi Cheng, Jiaxing Wang
The quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches are two of the most commonly used minimally-invasive approaches in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the conclusion among studies still remains controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy of the subvastus and quadriceps-sparing approaches with the standard parapatellar approach in TKA.
Methods
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the quadriceps-sparing or subvastus approach with the standard parapatellar approach was identified in the databases of PubMed, the Cochrane library, EMBASE and Web of Science up to July 2014. Two authors extracted the following data: the basic characteristics of patients, the methodological quality and clinical outcomes from the included RCTs independently. RevMan 5.2.7 software was used for meta-analysis.
Results
A total of 19 RCTs (1578 patients) were included for meta-analysis. The results suggested that the quadriceps-sparing approach showed better outcomes in knee society score (KSS) and visual analog score (VAS), but this approach required a longer operative time than the standard parapatellar approach. There were no differences in total complications, wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, blood loss and hospital stay between the quadriceps-sparing and standard approaches. The subvastus approach showed better outcomes in VAS, knee range of motion (ROM), straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release than the standard parapatellar approach. There were no differences in KSS, total complication, wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, blood loss and hospital stay between the quadriceps-sparing and standard approaches.
Conclusions
The current evidence showed that, when compared with the standard parapatellar approach, the quadriceps-sparing approach was associated with better outcomes in KSS and VAS but required a longer operative time, and the subvastus approach was associated with better outcomes in VAS, ROM, straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release.
Hinweise
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
Each author has materially contributed to the following five elements of the study: (1). designing the study (XP, XZ); (2). collecting the data (XP, TC, MC); (3). analyzing and interpreting the data (TC, MC, JW); (4). ensuring the accuracy of the data (XP, XZ). (5). writing the initial draft (XP, TC, MC, JW). All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Abkürzungen
TKA
Total knee arthroplasty
RCTs
Randomized controlled trials
KSS
Knee society scores
VAS
Visual analogue score
ROM
Range of motion
OR
Odds ratios
CI
Confidence interval
MD
Mean difference
BMI
Body mass index
SV
Subvastus
SP
Standard parapatellar
QS
Quadriceps-sparing
N.S
Not significant
Background
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been one of the most successful operations for patients with end-stage knee diseases. As the standard approach, the medial parapatellar approach has been popularized for the excellent operative visualization. However, this approach requires the compromise of peripatellar blood supply and the quadriceps muscle, which might cause avascular necrosis and anterior knee pain [1].
In the last decade, the minimally invasive approaches such as mini-medial parapatellar, midvastus, subvastus and quadriceps-sparing approach, have provided promising advantages over the standard approach. The mini-medial parapatellar and midvastus approaches were less minimally invasive than the standard approach, but both disrupted quadriceps mechanism during surgery [2‐4]. Compared with the above two approaches, the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches were regarded as truly “anatomic” techniques in TKA because both avoided the disruption of the quadriceps tendon and the insertion of the vastus medialis in TKA [5‐7]. Therefore, these two techniques also were described as the least minimally invasive approaches for TKA [8‐10].
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Theoretically, the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches could offer better clinical outcomes for patients [11‐15]. Previously, many studies have compared the clinical outcomes between the quadriceps-sparing or subvastus approach with the standard parapatellar approach. However, their conclusions among studies still remain conflicting. Some studies advocated the use of subvastus or quadriceps-sparing approach. They reported that these two approaches had significant advantages in knee society scores (KSS) [1, 16, 17], straight-leg raise [17‐19], visual analogue score (VAS) [17] and range of motion (ROM) [16, 18, 20, 21]. However, other studies did not support this viewpoint. They found that the standard parapatellar approach provided less complications and better knee function than the subvastus or the quadriceps-sparing approaches [14, 19, 22‐26].
To quantitatively compare the clinical efficacy and safety of the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches to the standard parapatellar approach in TKA, we included all the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and conducted this meta-analysis.
Methods
This meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [27].
Inclusion criteria
The studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the subvastus or quadriceps-sparing approach with the standard parapatellar approach in TKA. Case report, cohort study, quasi-RCT and non-RCT were excluded in this study not considered for inclusion. The included participants should be adult patients who underwent the primary TKA. The extracted outcomes included: KSS and VAS, ROM, lateral retinacular release, straight leg raise, blood loss, operative time, hospital stay and postoperative complications (wound infection, deep vein thrombosis and total complications).
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Literature search
The databases of PubMed, the Cochrane library, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Database and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched for the relevant studies from January 1982 to July 2014. The following search strategies were used for literature search: #1, “Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee” [Mesh]; #2, knee arthroplasty; #3. knee replacement, #4. medial parapatellar; #5. standard OR conventional approach; # 6. subvastus; #7. mini-subvastus; #8. quadriceps-sparing; #9. quad-sparing; #10. quadriceps sparing; #11. #1 OR #2 OR # 3 OR; # 12. #4 OR # 5; # 13. #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR # 9 OR #10; # 11 AND # 12 AND # 13. In addition, the lists of references and Google scholar were also searched for other potential RCTs.
Data collection and quality assessment
Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts. If the studies possibly met the inclusion criteria, the full text was retrieved for the final decision. Data extraction was completed by two blind authors. If insufficient data was reported, efforts were made to contact the authors for the additional information. The methodological quality was evaluated using the following items recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration [28]: randomization; allocation concealment; blinding of participants; blinding of outcome assessors; incomplete outcome data; selective reporting; and other bias. Each item was classified into “Yes”, “No”, or “Unclear”: “Yes” - low risk of bias, “No” - high risk of bias, “Unclear” - lack of information or unknown risk of bias. Any disagreement in assessments was resolved by discussing with a third author.
Statistical analysis
The software of Review Manager 5.2.7 [28] was used to perform meta-analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was calculated to test the overall effects for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) and 95 % CI were used for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity was tested using I2 statistic (I2 > 50 % indicating significant heterogeneity, and I2 ≤ 50 % indicating no significant heterogeneity) [29]. If significant heterogeneity (I2 > 50 %) was found in the meta-analysis, random-effect model was used, otherwise, using fix-effect model. Subgroup analysis was performed for outcomes with different time points.
Results
Figure 1 showed the flow chart of literature screening. From the initial database search, a total of 423 citations were yielded. After removing 165 duplicates, 258 studies were reserved for abstract screening and full-text screening. Finally, nineteen RCTs [12, 14, 16, 18‐26, 30‐36] were considered to be eligible for meta-analysis. Of the included studies, nine [14, 17, 19, 22, 31‐35] RCTs comparing the quadriceps-sparing approach with the standard parapatellar approach and ten [12, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23‐26, 30] comparing the subvastus approach with the standard parapatellar approach were included.
×
The characteristics and quality assessment of the included RCTs
The characteristics of the included RCTs were summarized in Table 1. A total of 1633 TKAs were performed in 1578 adult patients (male: 31.8 %; female: 68.2 %). The mean age ranged from 62.5–73.8, the mean BMI ranged from 24.6–30.97, and the follow-up duration ranged from 13 days to 3 years. The patients’ parameters (age, BMI, patient/TKA number, preoperative knee function) were reported similar between groups.
Table 1
Characteristics of included studies
Study-year
Country
Group
Patients (male/female)
Total TKA
Age
BMI
Follow-up
Results favoring
Chiang 2012
China
QS
30 (3/27)
38
69.7 ± 5.3
28.6 ± 3.8
2 years
MP
SP
30 (3/27)
37
69.8 ± 5.4
29.6 ± 3.5
Karpman 2009
America
QS
20 (8/12)
20
73 ± 7.4
28 ± 4.4
6 months
QS
SP
19 (9/10)
19
73 ± 5.1
29 ± 4.6
Kim 2007
Korea
QS
120 (27/93)
120
65.4 (43–88)
28.1 (19–36)
2 years
MP
SP
120 (27/93)
120
Lin 2009
China
QS
30 (3/27)
40
69.6 (57–78)
28.1 (20.1–36.9)
2 month
N.S
SP
30 (3/27)
40
70.2 (56–82)
29.0 (20.1–36.9)
Lin 2013
China
QS
35 (5/30)
35
67.7 ± 5
26.3 ± 2.5
2 years
QS
SP
35 (5/30)
35
68.5 ± 5.5
25.9 ± 2.6
Matsumoto 2011
Japan
QS
25 (0/25)
25
73.8 ± 1.7
Not reported
1 week
QS
SP
25 (0/25)
25
73.7 ± 1.4
Not reported
Shen 2007
China
QS
26 (−/−)
26
Not reported
Not reported
12 years
QS
SP
33 (−/−)
33
Not reported
Not reported
Tasker 2013
United Kingdom
QS
46 (17/29)
46
67.3 ± 8.4
Not reported
2 years
QS
SP
46 (17/29)
46
68.2 ± 7.5
Not reported
Xu 2013
China
QS
26 (7/19)
35
63.5 ± 8.7
25.2 ± 3.4
3 months
QS
SP
29 (11/18)
35
64.2 ± 9.3
25.2 ± 2.3
Roysam 2001
United Kingdom
SV
46 (25/21)
46
70.2
Not reported
3 months
SV
SP
43 (22/21)
43
69.8
Not reported
Weinhardt 2004
German
SV
26 (19/7)
26
69.7 ± 9.1
Not reported
13 days
N.S
SP
26 (14/12)
26
73.7 ± 6.8
Not reported
Bridgman 2009
United Kingdom
SV
116 (60/56)
116
70.1 ± 8.0
Not reported
1 year
SV
SP
115 (59/56)
115
70.9 ± 8.1
Not reported
Sastre 2009
Spain
SV
56 (not reported)
56
NR
Not reported
1 year
SV
SP
48 (not reported)
48
Not reported
Not reported
Pan 2010
China
SV
35 (11/24)
35
62.5 (54–70)
24.8 (19.5–28.6)
18 months
N.S
SP
33 (9/24)
33
63.2 (50–75)
24.6 (19.4–28.2)
Varela-Egocheaga
Spain
SV
50 (14/36)
50
68.02 ± 8.14
30.97 ± 5.25
3 years
SV
SP
50 (13/37)
50
70.64 ± 7.88
30.62 ± 3.42
Van Hemert 2010
Netherlands
SV
20 (6/14)
20
70.3 ± 11.8
29.2 ± 5.5
3 months
N.S
SP
20 (7/13)
20
70.9 ± 7.1
30.3 ± 5.9
Varnell 2011
Italy
SV
18 (11/7)
20
71 ± 6
30.96 ± 6.16
6 months
MP
SP
15 (5/10)
18
70 ± 7
28.15 ± 4.2
Wegrzyn 2013
USA
SV
18 (4/14)
18
71 ± 6
30.96 ± 6.16
2 months
N.S
SP
18 (4/14)
18
70 ± 7
28.15 ± 4.2
Jain 2013
India
SV
50 (12/38)
50
67 ± 8
30 ± 6
2 weeks
SV
SP
50 (12/38)
50
64 ± 7
31 ± 4
BMI body mass index, SV subvastus, SP standard parapatellar, QS quadriceps-sparing, N.S not significant
Regarding the methodological quality, all the included studies were randomized using various methods: eight (42.1 %) used the computer-generated random number and seven (36.8 %) used random number table. Allocation concealment was reported in 10 studies (52.6 %); the method of blind was used in 16 studies (84.2 %) (Table 2).
Table 2
Risk of bias in included studies
Study
Random Sequence Generation
Allocation concealment
Blinding of participants
Blinding of outcome assessment
Incomplete Outcome data
Selective reporting
Other bias
Kim 2007
Yes (Randomization table)
Unclear
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Shen 2007
Yes (Not reported)
Unclear
Unclear
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Karpman 2009
Yes (Computer)
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Lin 2009
Yes (Computer)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Matsumoto 2011
Yes (Not reported)
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Chiang 2012
Yes (computer)
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Lin 2013
Yes (Randomization table)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Tasker 2013
Yes (Randomization table)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Xu 2013
Yes (Randomization table)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Unclear
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Roysam 2001
Yes (Random number table)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Weinhardt 2004
Yes (Not reported)
Unclear
Unclear
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Bridgman 2009
Yes (Computer)
Yes (Telephone)
Yes
Yes
Yes
YES
Unclear
Sastre 2009
Yes (Random number table)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
Yes
No
Unclear
Unclear
Pan 2010
Yes (Computer)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
No
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Varela-Egocheaga 2010
Yes (Random number table)
Unclear
Unclear
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Van Hemert 2010
Yes (Not reported)
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Bourke 2012
Yes (Computer)
Yes (Sealed envelope)
Yes
Yes
No
Unclear
Unclear
Wegrzyn 2013
Yes (Computer)
Unclear
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Jain 2013
Yes (Computer)
Yes (Block schedule)
Yes
Unclear
Yes
Unclear
Unclear
Results of meta-analysis
Quadriceps-sparing versus the standard parapatellar approach
Nine RCTs [14, 17, 19, 22, 31‐35] comparing the quadriceps-sparing with the standard parapatellar approaches were included for meta-analysis (n = 725 patients with 775 TKAs) (Table 3).
Table 3
Meta-analysis of quadriceps-sparing (QS) versus standard parapatellar (SP) approach
Outcomes
Studies
No. of TKAs (QS/SP)
MD or OR (95 % CI); p value
Heterogeneity
KSS 4–6 weeks
3
101
108
−0.91 [−3.08, 1.25]; p = 0.41
I2 = 0 %
KSS 3 months
2
138
138
2.88 [1.17, 4.60]; p = 0.001
I2 = 0 %
KSS 2 year
2
155
155
1.75 [0.45, 3.06]; p = 0.008
I2 = 0 %
VAS 1 weeks
4
124
129
−0.69 [−1.10, −0.29]; p < 0.05
I2 = 32 %
VAS 4–6 weeks
3
104
110
0.14 [−0.29, 0.58]; p = 0.52
I2 = 0 %
Total Complication
6
279
287
1.00 [0.21, 4.72]; p = 0.49
I2 = 0 %
Wound infection
6
279
287
1.05 [0.39, 2.85]; p = 0.85
I2 = 0 %
Deep vein thrombosis
6
279
287
0.67 [0.16, 2.92]; p = 0.30
I2 = 0 %
ROM 1 week
2
64
70
5.79 [−6.26, 17.85]; p = 0.35
I2 = 89 %
ROM 4–6 weeks
3
99
105
3.83 [−2.81, 10.46]; p = 0.26
I2 = 84 %
ROM 3 months
2
146
153
4.37 [−6.41, 15.14]; p = 0.43
I2 = 96 %
ROM 12 months
2
66
76
10.08 [−7.56, 27.72]; p = 0.26
I2 = 96 %
ROM 24 months
4
233
235
−0.18 [−1.91, 1.56]; p = 0.84
I2 = 0 %
Operative time
7
319
327
18.22 [9.92, 26.51]; p < 0.05
I2 = 93 %
Blood loss
4
220
222
0.80 [−39.34, 40.93]; p = 0.97
I2 = 0 %
Hospital stay
4
215
217
−0.68 [−1.48, 0.12]; p = 0.10
I2 = 82 %
Primary outcomes
Meta-analysis showed that, when compared with the standard approach, the quadriceps-sparing approach significantly improved KSS at postoperative 3 months (MD = 2.88, 95 % CI [1.17, 4.60], P = 0.001) and 2 years (MD = 1.75, 95 % CI [0.45, 3.06], p = 0.08), and decreased VAS at postoperative 1 week (MD = −0.69, 95 % CI [−1.10, −0.29], P < 0.05). There were no differences in KSS at postoperative 4–6 weeks (MD = −0.91, 95 % CI [−3.08, 1.25], P = 0.41) and VAS at postoperative 4–6 weeks (MD = 0.14, 95 % CI [−0.29, 0.58], P = 0.52) between both groups. No significant heterogeneity was found in the meta-analysis of KSS and VAS (I2 ≤ 50 %) (Table 3).
Secondary outcomes
Meta-analysis showed that the quadriceps-sparing and the standard parapatellar approaches had similar results in total complication (MD = 1.00, 95 % CI [0.21, 4.72], P = 0.49), wound infection (MD = 1.21, 95 % CI [0.29, 5.05], P = 0.80), deep vein thrombosis (MD = 0.65, 95 % CI [0.13, 3.31], P = 0.60), ROM from 1 week (MD = 5.79, 95 % CI [−6.26, 17.85], P = 0.35 %)–24 months (MD = −0.18, 95 % CI [−1.91, 1.56], P = 0.84), blood loss (MD = −57.00, 95 % CI [−213.73, 99.73]) and hospital stay (MD = −2.00, 95 % CI [−3.19, −0.81], P = 0.10). However, the quadriceps-sparing approach significantly increased operative time when compared with the standard parapatellar approach (MD = 18.22, 95 % CI [9.92, 26.51], P < 0.05). The heterogeneity was significant in ROM, operative time and hospital stay (I2 > 50 %) (Table 3).
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Subvastus versus Medial parapatellar approach
Ten RCTs [12, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23‐26, 30] comparing the subvastus with the standard parapatellar approach were included for meta-analysis (Table 4).
Table 4
Meta-analysis of subvastus (SV) versus standard parapatellar (SP) approach
Outcomes
Studies
TKAs (SV/SP)
MD or OR [95 % CI]; p value
Heterogeneity
KSS 4–6 weeks
2
128
127
−1.86 [−8.59, 4.88]; p = 0.59
I2 = 66 %
KSS 3 months
4
196
195
1.03 [−10.28, 12.35]; p = 0.86
I2 = 0 %
KSS 12 months
2
161
157
3.25 [−0.60, 7.10]; p = 0.10
I2 = 0 %
VAS 1 weeks
2
132
133
−0.56 [−1.42, 0.29]; p = 0.19
I2 = 98 %
VAS 4–6 weeks
3
182
175
−0.13 [−0.44, 0.19]; p = 0.44
I2 = 85 %
VAS 3 months
3
182
177
−0.03 [−0.32, 0.27]; p = 0.87
I2 = 84 %
VAS 6 months
2
165
159
−0.14 [−0.28, −0.01]; p = 0.04
I2 = 0 %
Total Complication
6
329
315
0.81 [0.44, 1.49]; p = 0.49
I2 = 0 %
Wound infection
6
242
233
1.11 [0.40, 3.08]; p = 0.85
I2 = 0 %
Deep vein thrombosis
5
288
276
5.04 [0.24, 106.22]; p = 0.30
I2 = 0 %
ROM 1 week
3
163
166
3.96 [3.20, 4.72]; p < 0.05
I2 = 0 %
ROM 4–6 weeks
4
230
225
3.79 [−0.44, 8.03]; p = 0.08
I2 = 68 %
ROM 3 months
4
230
225
3.24 [−0.90, 7.38]; p = 0.12
I2 = 72 %
ROM 12 months
3
214
206
6.80 [0.94, 12.66]; p = 0.02
I2 = 87 %
Straight leg raise
2
59
61
−2.77 [−4.07, −1.47]; p < 0.05
I2 = 64 %
Operative time
2
46
46
0.11 [−10.37, 10.58]; p = 0.98
I2 = 60 %
Lateral retinacular release
4
217
211
0.34 [0.14, 0.79]; p = 0.01
I2 = 0 %
Blood loss
3
81
81
−100.76 [−223.42, 21.89]; p = 0.11
I2 = 74 %
Primary outcomes
Meta-analysis showed that the subvastus approach significantly reduced VAS score at postoperative 12 months (MD = −0.14, 95 % CI [−0.28, −0.01], P = 0.04) compared with the standard approach. There were no differences in KSS from postoperative 4 weeks (MD = −1.86, 95 % CI [−8.59, 4.88], P = 0.59)–12 months (MD = 3.25, 95 % CI [−0.60, 7.10]), and VAS from postoperative 1 week (MD = −0.56, 95 % CI [−1.42, 0.29], P = 0.19)–3 months (MD = −0.03, 95 % CI [−0.32, 0.27], P = 0.87) between the standard and subvastus groups (Table 3). Significant heterogeneity was found in KSS (4–6 weeks) and VAS (1 week–3 months) (I2 > 50 %).
Secondary outcomes
Meta-analysis showed that the subvastus approach had significant advantages over the standard parapatellar approach in ROM at postoperative 1 week (MD = 3.96, 95 % CI [3.20, 4.72], P < 0.05) and 12 months (MD = 6.80, 95 % CI [0.94, 12.66], P < 0.05), straight leg raise (OR = −2.77, 95 % CI [−4.07, −1.47], P =0.02) and lateral retinacular release (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI [0.14, 0.79], P = 0.01). The two groups showed similar results in ROM at postoperative 4–6 weeks (MD = 3.79, 95 % CI [−0.44, 8.03], P = 0.08) and 3 months (MD = 3.24, 95 % CI [−0.90, 7.38], P = 0.12), total complication (MD = 0.81, 95 % CI [0.44, 1.49], P = 0.49), wound infection (MD = 1.11, 95 % CI [0.40, 3.08]) and blood loss (MD = −100.76, 95 % CI [−223.42, 21.89], P = 0.11) (Table 4).
Discussion
Clinically, the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches are very similar techniques, as both avoid the incision into the quadriceps tendon and the vastus medialis muscle during surgery. The quadriceps-sparing approach was first introduced by Tria et al. [7] from the minimally invasive unicondylar knee replacement. This technique used a more curvilinear medial incision without quadriceps damage and patella eversion. The advantage of the quadriceps-sparing approach was that, if needed, this technique can easily be extended or converted in the standard parapatellar approach [10]. However, critics indicated that this approach is not anatomically correct. Pagnano et al. [37] designed a magnetic resonance study in 200 cadaver specimens, and demonstrated that the vastus medialis obliquus was inserted to the midpole of the patella. Therefore, the quadriceps-sparing approach inevitably damaged the vastus medialis obliquus. The subvastus approach was first developed by Hofmann in 1991 [38]. It preserved the integrity of the extensor mechanism and minimized the injury to the patellar vascularity. Previous studies considered that the subvastus approach should be the true “quadriceps-sparing” approach in TKA [8, 18, 39].
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For the subject concerning the superior approach for TKA, the conclusion was highly controversial. Among the included RCTs, five studies [17, 31, 32, 34, 35] favored the quadriceps-sparing approach, five [12, 16, 18, 20, 21] favored subvastus approach, four [14, 22, 30, 33] favored medial parapatellar approach, and others [19, 23‐26] found no differences between groups. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively compare the clinical outcomes between the different approaches.
In our study, the most primary findings were that, the quadriceps-sparing approach had significant advantages in KSS and VAS over the standard approach, but had disadvantages in operative time. The subvastus approach provided better outcomes in VAS, ROM, straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release. There were no differences in other clinical outcomes when compared the quadriceps-sparing approach or subvastus with the standard group.
To date, there was no meta-analysis compared the quadriceps-sparing with the standard parapatellar approach in TKA. Totally, we included nine RCTs for meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that the quadriceps-sparing approach achieved better outcomes in KSS (postoperative 3 months and 2 years) and VAS (postoperative 1 week). This result supported the theory of minimally invasive technique. However, the level of this evidence was relatively weak due to the insufficient number of the included RCTs. In addition, our results also showed that the quadriceps-sparing group significantly increased operative time. The explanation was the quadriceps-sparing approach was technically more demanding. That required considerable efforts to obtain sufficient operative view during surgery [10].
Regarding the subvastus versus the standard parapatellar approach, ten RCTs were available for meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis showed that the subvastus approach had significant advantages over the standard approach in VAS (postoperative 6 months), ROM (postoperative 1 week and 12 months), straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release, and no disadvantages were found associated with the subvastus approach. Our conclusion was a little different with the published meta-analysis [1, 40]. Teng et al. [1] performed a meta-analysis including 8 RCTs and 1 quasi-RCTs, and concluded that the subvastus approach improved KSS score and decreased lateral retinacular release compared with the parapatellar approach. However, they found similar ROM in the two groups. The possible reason is that one quasi-RCT they included might bias the result of the meta-analysis. Additionally, despite surgical difficulty was high for the subvastus approach, the operative time showed no difference between the two groups. Our conclusion was in accordance with earlier studies [1, 23, 25, 40, 41] who also found no difference in operative time between both groups. The familiar exposure and new specific instrumentation contributed to the learning curve of subvastus technique.
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Strengths and Limitations of this study
Two earlier systematic review or meta-analysis [1, 40] had compared the clinical efficiency between the subvastus and the standard aprraoch in TKA. However, the authors included quasi-RCT, which reduced the level of the evidence. Additionally, the published meta-analysis only investigated the short-term outcomes. The strengthens of this study included that: (1) the results of our meta-analysis were based on RCTs, which provided high-level evidence for clinical practice; (2) our study first reported a meta-analysis comparing the quadriceps-sparing with the standard approach.
Several limitations should be noted in our study. (1). Although some outcomes were reported in the full text, data was not sufficiently provided to perform meta-analysis. (2) Although efforts were made to minimize the heterogeneity by conducting subgroup analysis, for example, using random-effect model and setting strict inclusion criteria, the heterogeneity among the included studies was still significant in several meta-analyses, which might decrease the reliability of the conclusion. Readers should be cautious for the results when heterogeneity existed. (3) Although all the included RCTs used randomization, some RCTs did not used allocation concealment and blinding to the patients and surgeons, which also might lead to high risks of selection and detection bias; besides, the most RCTs included were performed in single center with small samples, therefore, multi-center RCTs with large-samples are still lacking to verify our conclusion. (4) For a superior approach in TKA, it should include the following criteria: simple technique, sufficient visibility, less complication rates and improve clinical outcomes. Obviously, the quadriceps-sparing or subvastus approach did not involve all the criteria above. Therefore, TKA surgeons should get a balanced perspective for the two approaches.
Conclusion
Based on the current evidence, our study finds that, in comparison with the standard parapatellar approach, the quadriceps-sparing approach showed better outcomes in KSS and VAS, and the subvastus approach shows better outcomes in VAS, ROM, straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release, but the quadriceps-sparing technique requires longer operative time.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81201425). Thanks for Matthew Crawford (America) for the English editing of this manuscript.
Level of evidence
Therapeutic study Level I
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Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors’ contributions
Each author has materially contributed to the following five elements of the study: (1). designing the study (XP, XZ); (2). collecting the data (XP, TC, MC); (3). analyzing and interpreting the data (TC, MC, JW); (4). ensuring the accuracy of the data (XP, XZ). (5). writing the initial draft (XP, TC, MC, JW). All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Comparison of the quadriceps-sparing and subvastus approaches versus the standard parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
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Xiaochun Peng Xianlong Zhang Tao Cheng Mengqi Cheng Jiaxing Wang