[Anatomical, clinical and surgical features of total and partial patellectomy in the treatment of comminuted fractures of the kneecap].

An account of the literature data relating to total and partial patellectomy in the management of comminuted kneecap fractures is followed by a theoretical and practical discussion of the pros and cons of the two techniques. It is shown that total resection does not lead to serious functional disturbances in spite of its alteration of the shape of the knee; on the other hand, partial resection, although more in keeping with the physiological situation, may lay the seeds of femoropatellar arthrosis.