No abstract

The optimal management of the patella during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial and surgeons tend to approach the patella with one of three general mindsets: always resurface the patella, never resurface the patella, or selectively resurface the patella based on specific patient or patellar criteria. Studies comparing resurfacing and non-resurfacing of the patella during TKA have reported inconsistent and contradictory findings. When resurfacing the patella is chosen, there are a number of available patellar component designs, materials, and techniques for cutting and fixation. When patellar non-resurfacing is chosen, several alternatives are available, including patellar denervation, lateral retinacular release, and patelloplasty. Surgeons may choose to perform any of these alone, or together in some combination. Prospective randomized studies are needed to better understand which patellar management techniques contribute to superior postoperative outcomes. Until then, this remains a controversial topic, and options for patellar management will need to be weighed on an individual basis per patient. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:861-871. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200156

As smoking increases the risk of adverse events and leads to increased hospital costs following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), many institutions have introduced perioperative smoking cessation initiatives. Although such programs have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for smokers undergoing TJA, the optimal approach, duration, and timing of smoking cessation models have not been well-defined.Overall, initiating a smoking cessation program 4 weeks preoperatively is likely adequate to provide clinically meaningful reductions in postoperative complications for smokers following TJA, although longer periods of cessation should be encouraged if feasible.Patients brought in for emergency surgical treatment who cannot participate in a preoperative intervention may still benefit from an intervention instituted in the immediate postoperative period.Cotinine testing may provide some benefit for encouraging successful smoking cessation and validating self-reported smoking status, although its utility is limited by its short half-life. Further study is needed to determine the value of other measures of cessation such as carbon monoxide breath testing.Smoking cessation programs instituted prior to TJA have been demonstrated to be cost-effective over both the short and long term.