Forty patellectomies were done for various reasons by six orthopaedic surgeons during an eight-year period. Study of these suggests that the V-plasty for reinforcement of the quadriceps mechanism consistently yielded good results in all types of cases. The study also revealed that in most instances simple excision of the patella yielded very good results. The possibility of reserving the inverted V-plasty for those patients in whom damage has occurred to the extensor mechanism that cannot be easily repaired by simpler methods may be considered. However, the inverted V-plasty is not a difficult procedure and may be used in virtually all patients in whom patellectomy is indicated. It provides a strong closure, requires a short convalescent period, and results in a pleasing cosmetic appearance with good function.