Research progress in treatment of Essex-Lopresti lesion / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

The Essex-Lopresti lesion is characterized by a fracture of the radial head with concomitant rupture of the interosseous membrane and disruption of the distal radioulnar joint. The EssexLopresti lesion is rare and serious, easily subject to missed diagnosis. However, all sorts of therapeutic methods can only yield poor results for chronic Essex-Lopresti lesion. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. The key to treat acute Essex-Lopresti lesion is the reconstruction of radial head and restoration of radius length, preventing the proximal move of radius. At the same time, the distal radioulnar joint should be reset and stablized, and the triangular fibrocartilage complex(TFCC) repaired, so as to restore the normal anatomic relation between radiu and ulna and to reconstruct forearm longitudinal stability. Further studies are needed on whether the forearm interosseous membrane needs repair as well as on repair method selection. The author reviews the Essex-Lopresti injury treatment methods in order to facilitate better clinical treatment.