Surgical Treatment Using a Transolecranon Approach with a Dual Locking Plate for Unstable Intercondylar Fractures of the Humerus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of operative treatment using a transolecranon approach with a dual locking plate for unstable intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were followed for more than 1 year after surgical treatment for unstable intercondylar fractures of the humerus. Anterior transpositioning of the ulnar nerve and an early rehabilitation program to allow range of motion (ROM) exercise from postoperative week 1 were used for all cases. The clinical and functional evaluation was performed according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index and Cassebaum's classification of ROM. RESULTS: The range of elbow joint motion was a flexion contracture mean of 12.8 degrees to a further flexion mean of 119.3 degrees at the final follow-up. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index was an average of 88.5 points. Among the results, 6 were excellent, 9 good, 2 fair, and 1 poor. Therefore, 15 cases (83.3%) achieved satisfactory results. Fourteen cases (77.7%) achieved a satisfactory ROM according to Cassebaum's classification. All cases achieved bone union, and the interval to union was an average of 14.2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Dual locking plate fixation through the transolecranon approach seems to be one of the effective treatment methods for unstable intercondylar fractures of the humerus because it enables the anatomical reduction and rigid fixation of articulation, and early rehabilitation exercise.