Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy May Not Provide Additional Benefit in Treating Patellar Dislocation With Increased Tibial Tuberosity–Trochlear Groove Distance: A Systematic Review

To examine the indications and outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) with or without tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) in treating recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation with an increased tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. We performed a literature search of the established medical databases Cochrane Central, PubMed-MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were as follows: skeletally mature patients with recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation and an increased TT-TG distance, treatment with MPFLR combined with a TTO procedure or isolated MPFLR, and reporting of clinical outcomes and complications. Each study was assessed for quality and the level of evidence. The general characteristics, indications, surgical techniques, TT-TG distance, clinical results, imaging evaluation findings, and complications of each study were recorded. Nine studies consisting of 288 knees met the inclusion criteria. The average Coleman score was 71.56 (range, 55-83). The threshold for an increased TT-TG distance ranged from 16 to 20 mm in the included studies. Similar good postoperative outcomes were reported in patients with an increased TT-TG distance treated with MPFLR with versus without a TTO procedure. The mean postoperative Lysholm score ranged from 75.0 to 94.7 (I2 = 87.6%) in the isolated MPFLR group and from 85.0 to 87.6 (I2 = 16.3%) in the TTO-with-MPFLR group. Similar postoperative congruence angles were reported in both groups. The postoperative redislocation rate ranged from 0% to 4.2% in the TTO-with-MPFLR group, and no redislocation was found in the isolated MPFLR group. The postoperative apprehension sign was only reported in isolated MPFLR patients. The outcomes of MPFLR with or without TTO to treat recurrent or habitual patellar dislocation with an increased TT-TG distance appeared similar. However, this study was limited by the considerable heterogeneity, variety of techniques, variety of TT-TG distances, and variability in patella alta and trochlear dysplasia among the included studies. Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies.