[Patellectomy as a salvage operation]

One hundred seven patients were examined who had undergone patellectomies between 1965 and 1983 (113 patellectomies). The mean follow-up time was 10.5 years (3-17.5 years) and the average age of the patients 42.6 years. There were three distinct groups of operative techniques: (1) the purse-string technique in 40 patellectomies; (2) the vastus medialis technique in 24 patellectomies; (3) other techniques in 49 patellectomies. The indications for patellectomy were: chondromalacia, 56 cases; comminuted patellar fractures, 32 cases; arthritis, 17 cases; recurrent patellar dislocations, 8 cases. The patients were examined for pain, rage of motion, giving way, swelling, quadriceps strength, activity and cosmetic results (interview, physical examination, Cybex and radiographic study). In the purse-string technique group, 81% of the cases ended up with good or excellent results; in the vastus medialis group there were 79% and in the third group only 73% good or excellent results. Among the patellectomies for comminuted fractures, 75% had excellent results. The clinical outcome of patelletomy for arthritis is fair, for recurrent dislocation favorable, and for chondromalacia variable and not predictable.