Abstract
The results of partial and total patellectomy as a treatment for severe comminuted and displaced patellar fracture were assessed retrospectively with the use of clinical criteria and radiologic findings. Sixteen patients treated with patellectomy(four total and twelve partial patellectomies) were followed up for an average of 3 years 4 months and valuated. According to the Bostmans fracture classification, there were type I In 5 cases(31%), type II in 7 cases(44%), and type III in 4 cases(25%). The results of the patellectomy were relatively good since excellent result was shown in 11(69%) among 16 cases. The comparison between partial and total patellectomy was difficult because the fracture patterns treated by these techniques were different. In this study, the result of the partial patellectomy was better than that of the total patellectomy, but their difference was not statisticaliy significant(P>0.05). The results of the study indicated that partial or total patellectomy could be one of the effective treatment methods for severe comminuted and displaced patellar fracture. However total patellectomy should be recommended only when the entire patella was too severely comminuted to function as a part of the extensor mechanism of the knee.