Using an iliotibial tract for patellar dislocation in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and functional results of surgical treatment of patellar dislocation in children.


METHODS
A prospective study was undertaken from January 1995 to December 2004. Patients who suffered from patellar dislocation after receiving intramuscular antibiotic injections to quadriceps were recruited. A complete history of each patient was recorded, and both a clinical and a roentgenographic examination were performed preoperatively. Patellar dislocation was classified according to Bensahel's criteria. The iliotibial tract and lateral retinacula was released to restore the tension of the medial retinaculum. Quadricepsplasty was used in all patients for full flexion of knee.


RESULTS
There were nine males and 65 females in this study. All 74 patients (76 knees) developed dislocation of the patella after repeated intramuscular injections of antibiotic(s) into the quadriceps muscle. Fifty-six knees (73.7%) were type 1, and 20 knees (26.3%) were type 2 (Bensahel's classification). In all, we attained excellent results in 56 knees (73.7%), good results in 17 knees (22.4%), and fair results in three knees (3.9%). There have been no poor results or recurrences so far.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the iliotibial tract, adequate lateral retinacular release, restoration of the tension of the medial retinaculum and associated quadricepsplasty achieved a high success rate. The technique is simple, safe and effective in skeletally immature children.
Hung
Nguyen Ngoc
NN
Pediatric Orthopaedic, National Hospital For Pediatrics, 18/879 Lathanh Road, Hanoi, Vietnam, ngocyenhung@gmail.com.