The relationship of lateral releases to patella viability in total knee arthroplasty.
A prospective clinical and radionuclide study was done to ascertain the effect of a lateral release on patella vascularity in total knee arthroplasty. Although the basic surgical procedure was the same in all 36 knees, postoperative technetium bone scans revealed a higher incidence (9 of 16, 56.4%) of vascular compromise in knees with a lateral release than in those without a lateral release (3 of 20, 15%). Although only one clinical complication (fractured patella not requiring secondary surgery) occurred, the lateral release itself appears to have a causal relationship with patella viability. It does not seem to be the sole determinant, however, because the development of a "cold" patella in three knees that did not have a lateral release implicates other factors, such as thermal necrosis and anatomic variation of the blood supply.
Scuderi
G
G
Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York.
Scharf
S C
SC
Meltzer
L P
LP
Scott
W N
WN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D010329:Patella / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging