Applied anatomy of the pedicled patella translocation for repairing the defect of knee joint surface

Objective: To provide anatomic basis for repairing the knee joint surface defect with the pedicled patella translocation. Methods: The patellar blood supply was studied by the dissection of 34 adult lower limbs that were perfused with red emulsion. The shape and area of the joint surface of 30 patella and tibial condyles were observed and evaluated. Results: The arteries supplying the patella formed a ring around patella and then the ring sent smaller branches into the bone. The lateral superior genicular artery, the lateral inferior genicular artery, the superior patella branch and inferior patella branch of the descending genicular artery and the medial inferior genicular artery constituted the ring together. The articular surface of patella was similar to the joint surface of femoral medial and lateral condyles, as well as the superior joint surface of tibial medial or lateral condyles in shape and area. Conclusions: Pedicled patella can be transposed to medial or lateral condyles of tibia and femur. It can be used for repairing knee joint surface defect and reserving the knee function utmostly.