How to Manage Intraoperative Complications During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative complications are ideally prevented altogether, but are nevertheless an inherent and unavoidable risk in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS: This article provides a review of a symposium on primary TKA intraoperative complications that was presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons 2024 Annual Meeting.

RESULTS: The following four intraoperative complications were reviewed: 1) medial collateral ligament injury; 2) neurovascular injury; 3) extensor mechanism injury; and 4) periprosthetic fracture.

CONCLUSIONS: As the nationwide and per-surgeon volume of primary TKA continues to increase, it is imperative for arthroplasty surgeons to be prepared to prevent, identify, and manage intraoperative complications during primary TKA.