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. 2021 Aug 23;9(8):e3785.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003785. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Chronic Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Reconstruction with Sartorius Muscle Transfer: A Report of Five Cases

Ahmed H Elhessy  1 , Hamza M Alrabai  2 , Hady H Eltayeby  3 , Martin G Gesheff  1 , Janet D Conway  1
Affiliations

Chronic Quadriceps Tendon Rupture Reconstruction with Sartorius Muscle Transfer: A Report of Five Cases

Ahmed H Elhessy et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Disruption of the knee extensor mechanism is an unfavorable situation because efficient mobilization requires a functioning knee extensor apparatus. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report our technique of sartorius muscle transfer for restoration of extension mechanism function and the outcomes of five patients. Patients with ruptured knee extensor mechanism secondary to trauma or knee arthroplasty-related issues were studied retrospectively. In all patients, sartorius muscle was transferred to restore the quadriceps tension deficit. Increase in the knee active range of motion, increase in the extensor mechanism power by one grade on Medical Research Council scale, and improvement in the extension lag were observed in all patients. The sartorius muscle transfer can be a reliable option to restore the knee extensor mechanism in chronic quadriceps tendon injuries. Our initial results are promising and showed improvement of the extensor mechanism muscle power, increased knee active range of motion, and decreased knee extension lag. The complications we observed did not impair the successful outcome of the sartorius transfer and were anticipated given the complexity of the studied cases. We encourage additional studies of sartorius muscle transfer to treat chronic quadriceps tendon injuries.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Both skin incisions are made with a skin bridge of at least 5–7 cm to preserve skin viability. Quadriceps defect with patella exposed (a). Sartorius muscle is harvested with preserved vascular pedicle (b). Copyright 2021, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Used with permission.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The sartorius tendon is prepared. Sutures are passed through the predrilled patellar tunnels to secure the transferred muscle to the superior pole of the patella. Tighten the attachment with reinforcement proximally and distally. Copyright 2021, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Used with permission.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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