Scintigraphic determination of patellar viability after excision of infrapatellar fat pad and/or lateral retinacular release in total knee arthroplasty

A prospective study ascertained the effect of lateral retinacular release and/or excision of the infrapatellar fat pad on patellar vascularity after total knee arthroplasty. Fifty patients (70 knees) had postoperative technetium bone scans, which revealed a higher incidence of vascular compromise of the patella after lateral release than without lateral release. Excision of the infrapatellar fat pad, commonly performed to enhance exposure and simplify access to the proximal tibia, did not compromise patellar vascularity.