The quadriceps snip facilitates exposure in revision total knee arthroplasty

Good exposure of the knee is required in revision total knee arthroplasty to allow for component removal, management of bone defects, and implantation of the new prosthesis. Failure to gain adequate exposure can lead to complications including component malpositioning and extensor mechanism disruption that may compromise the long-term success of the operation. In the revision setting, where factors such as limited motion, intra-articular fibrosis, and patellar baja may make exposure of the knee difficult, the surgeon must be familiar with advanced techniques for optimizing exposure. The quadriceps snip is one of the previously described methods for facilitating exposure in these more challenging cases. In this article, the indications and technique for and results of quadriceps snip in total knee arthroplasty are reviewed.