OBJECTIVES:Healing is an event that is fundamental to the success of total knee arthroplasty. The aims of the present study were to compare the rates of complications related to wound healing between two groups of volunteers submitted to total knee arthroplasty and to evaluate the effects of postoperative oxygen supplementation by means of a nasal catheter.METHOD:A total of 109 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups, namely, groups that did and did not receive postoperative oxygen supplementation via a nasal catheter. The surgical wound was monitored every day during the hospital stay and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th and 42ndpostoperative days. Characteristics related to healing were observed, including hyperemia, dehiscence, necrosis, phlyctenules and deep and superficial infection.RESULTS:There were no cases of deep infection. Hyperemia was statistically correlated with the total number of complications in the groups, with oxygen demonstrated to be a protective factor against hyperemia. Approximately 30% of the patients who exhibited hyperemia had other complications, independent of oxygen supplementation.CONCLUSION:Oxygen supplementation following total knee arthroplasty was shown to be effective in diminishing hyperemia around the operative wound. The development of hyperemia was a precursor to other complications, irrespective of whether oxygen supplementation was used.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging, clinical examination and intraoperative identification of posterolateral corner injuries of the knee. METHODS: We compared the findings of physical examination under anesthesia and intraoperative findings as the gold standard for the posterolateral corner injury with the reports of the MRIs of patients who underwent reconstruction of the posterolateral corner. Thus, we evaluated the use of MRI for the diagnosis of lesions. RESULTS: We found a sensitivity of 100% in lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), 86.96% in lesions of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), 57.58% in lesions of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and 24.24 % in tendon injuries of the popliteal muscle (PMT). CONCLUSION: Posterolateral corner injury is difficult to visualize and interpret; therefore, MRI imaging should not be used alone for diagnosis. Level of Evidence II. Diagnostic Studies.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a experiência com transplante homologo do mecanismo extensor nas artroplastias totais do joelho e comparar resultados com experiência internacional. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente três casos de transplante homologo do mecanismo extensor após artroplastia total do joelho que foram realizados em nosso serviço com apoio de um dos poucos bancos de tecidos brasileiros e tentamos estabelecer se nossa experiência foi similar à reportada na literatura internacional quanto a indicação do paciente, técnica utilizada e resultados. RESULTADOS: Dois casos evoluíram bem com o procedimento e um caso apresentou resultado insatisfatório evoluindo para amputação. Assim como mostra a literatura, tensão adequada do enxerto, fixação tibial apropriada e principalmente seleção precisa do paciente são os melhores preditores de bom resultado. CONCLUSÃO: O procedimento em questão tem indicação precisa, apesar de incomum, tanto pela raridade da problemática quanto pela baixa demanda de enxertos devido aos poucos bancos de tecidos no Brasil. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience with allograft transplantation of the extensor mechanism in total knee arthroplasty and compare results with the international experience. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated three cases of extensor mechanism allograft after total knee arthroplasty performed in our hospital with the aid of one of the few tissue banks in Brazil and attempted to establish whether our experiences were similar to others reported in the world literature regarding patient indication, techniques, and outcomes. RESULTS: Two cases went well with the adopted procedure, and one case showed bad results progressing to amputation. As shown in the literature, the adequate tension of the graft, appropriate tibial fixation and especially the adequate patient selection are the better predictors of good outcomes. Previous chronic infection can be a unfavorable predictor. CONCLUSION: This surgical procedure has precise indication, albeit uncommon, either because of the rarity of the problem or because of the low availability of allografts, due to the scarcity of tissue banks in Brazil. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.