Autogenous patella as replacement for a resected femoral or tibial condyle. A report on 19 cases

The size and shape of the patella make it suitable for the partial replacement of a femoral or tibial condyle resected for tumour, or destroyed by trauma. It can provide a good articular surface and may give satisfactory knee function. Nineteen cases of patellar grafts are presented, with follow-up from two to nine years. Good consolidation of the graft and fair stability of the joint were obtained; the range of movement was 90 degrees or more in 79% of cases. In contrast with an allograft of a femoral or tibial condyle, the technique described does not need an allograft bank, has a lower risk of infection, and allows better and quicker consolidation and revascularisation of the grafts, as well as a better range of movement at the knee, probably because of the lack of fibrosis from immunological reaction. Merle d'Aubigne's technique, using a patellar graft with a vascular muscle pedicle, is useful only for some cases, requires a longer period of immobilisation and weakens the extensor apparatus. Our series shows that consolidation and revascularisation of a patellar graft can occur in the absence of a pedicle.