Comparative study of knee function after patellectomy and osteosynthesis with a tension band wire following patellar fractures.

In order to assess the relative merits of patellectomy and osteosynthesis with tension band wires in patellar fractures, 66 patients given patellectomy and 30 given tension band wiring for almost identical fractures of the patella have been analysed. Following patellectomy only about half the patients achieved excellent results while after osteosynthesis excellent results were in 80%. We, therefore, recommend that whenever possible patellar fractures should be treated by accurate reduction and tension band wiring. When needed patellectomy should be performed without hesitation as the operation produces a negligible number of poor results, although excellent results will be achieved in only about half the cases.