A buttress plate combined with Kirschner wires for Regan-Morrey type Ⅱ coronoid fracture in elbow terrible triad injury / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the curative efficacy of a buttress plate combined with Kirschner wires for treatment of Regan-Morrey type Ⅱ coronoid fracture after elbow terrible triad injury.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 20 patients who had been surgically treated for Regan-Morrey type Ⅱ coronoid fracture after elbow terrible triad injury from August 2014 to August 2018 at Department of Pelvic Trauma, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic-Traumatological Hospital. They were 12 men and 8 women, aged from 18 to 60 years (average, 39 years), with 6 left and 14 right sides affected. All the coronoid fractures were fixated with Kirschner wires plus a buttress plate through the anterior approach, the radial head and lateral collateral ligaments (LCL) were repaired through the posterolateral approach, and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was repaired or fixated with a hinged external fixator if necessary. The curative efficacy was evaluated at the last follow-up by range of motion (ROM) of the elbow, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Scale (ASES) and radiographs of the elbow. Complications were also recorded.Results:The mean follow-up time was 18 months (from 12 to 24 months) and the mean healing time 5 months. At the last follow-up, ROM in flexion and extension of the affected elbow joint averaged 132.5°, ROM in elbow pronation-supination 150°, MEPS 88, and ASES 87. No subluxation or dislocation occurred after elbow surgery. The fracture of coronoid process was slightly displaced in one case but eventually healed without affecting any elbow function; fat liquefaction occurred around the posterolateral incision in 2 cases but healed after debridement; traumatic arthritic changes occurred in 5 patients but no significant dysfunction of the elbow was observed.Conclusion:A buttress plate combined with Kirschner wires can lead to fine curative efficacy for Regan-Morrey type Ⅱ coronoid fracture after elbow terrible triad injury.