Comparison of composite press-fit prosthesis replacement and plate-screw internal fixation for Mason Ⅲ radial head fractures in adults: mid-term outcomes / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes between replacement with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis versus open reduction and plate-screw internal fixation in the treatment of adult Mason Ⅲ radial head fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 64 adult patients with Mason Ⅲ radial head fracture were retrospectively analyzed who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2012 to December 2019. They were 18 males and 46 females, aged from 32 to 58 years (average, 45.7 years). They were divided into 2 groups 32 cases received mini-plate-screw internal fixation (internal fixation group) and 32 cases replacement with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis (replacement group). At the last follow-up, elbow valgus angle, range of elbow motion, Mayo score of elbow function and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score were recorded and compared to evaluate the postoperative clinical outcomes.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 8 to 48 months (average, 18.7 months). The operation time was, respectively, (81.4±8.2) min and (68.9±7.3) min for the internal fixation group and the replacement group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P< 0.05). For the internal fixation group and the replacement group at the last follow-up, the flexion and extension angles were 95° to 125° and 100° to 140°, the rotation angles 135.3°±11.2° and 143.5°±12.8°, and the Mayo scores 79.2±3.8 and 83.4±3.9, all significantly favoring the replacement group ( P<0.05). The VAS pain scores before operation and at the last follow-up were 7.6±0.7 and 0.9±0.7 for the internal fixation group, and 7.9±0.8 and 0.7±0.6 for the replacement group, showing significant differences between preoperation and the last follow-up in both groups ( P<0.05). All the incisions healed by the first intention, with no postoperative infection. Internal fixation loosening with ulnar neuritis was reported in one case in the internal fixation group; peri-prosthesis absorption with no prosthesis loosening was observed in one case in the replacements group. Conclusion:In the treatment of adult Mason Ⅲ radial head fractures, although both replacements with a composite press-fit radial head prosthesis and open reduction and plate-screw internal fixation can lead to satisfactory results, the former may be more effective.