The characteristics and treatment strategy for transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow in children: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow is rarely seen in children. The purpose of this retrospective study was to discuss the pathological characteristics and treatment strategy for this injury in children. METHODS: From October 2016 to March 2019, 15 patients seen and treated at our institutions for transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow were identified, and their medical records and radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. There were 11 boys and 4 girls, with an average age of 8.3 years (from 5 to 14 years). The left arm was involved in 10 cases, and the right arm was involved in 5 cases. Type I (simple fracture) was found in 11 cases, and type II (comminuted fracture) was found in 4 cases, 3 of which with coronoid process involved. Closed reduction was successful under local anaesthesia in 14 cases but failed in 1 case. In 11 patients with type I fractures, 10 received fixation of Kirschner wire and tension band, and one patient underwent bone plate fixation. In 4 patients with comminuted fractures (type II), internal fixation was performed with Kirschner wires combined with reconstruction plates. RESULTS: The 15 patients were followed up for 24 to 48 months (average, 30.2 months). The final evaluation showed fine anatomical relationship of the elbow in all with no complications observed. Failure of internal fixation did not occur in any patient. The fractures acquired bony union in all patients after 8 to 12 weeks (average, 9.6 weeks). The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at the final follow-up by the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) as excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases and fair in one case. CONCLUSIONS: As a type of complicated fracture-dislocation of the elbow, the transolecranon fracture-dislocation is rare in children. The fracture is mainly simple type. Treatment options depend on the type of fracture-dislocation. Only anatomical reduction of the olecranon fracture and restoration of a normal trochlear notch can lead to a stable humeroradial joint and good clinical efficacy.

Transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow in children - pathological characteristics and strategy for diagnosis and treatment / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To discuss the pathological characteristics and strategy for diagnosis and treatment of the transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow in children.Methods:Retrospectively reviewed were the 15 patients who had been treated at Hospital of Pediatric Orthopedics, Xi'an Honghui Hospital from October 2016 to March 2019 for transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow. They were 11 boys and 4 girls, with an average age of 8.3 years (from 5 to 14 years) and 10 left and 5 right arms injured. Type Ⅰ (simple fracture) was found in 11 cases and type Ⅱ (comminuted fracture) in 4 cases in 3 of which the coronoid process was affected. Of them, 14 were treated successfully with closed reduction and plaster fixation under local anesthesia in emergency but one was unsuccessfully. Of the 11 simple fractures, 10 received tension band fixation with Kirschner wire and a short oblique one underwent bone plate fixation; the 4 comminuted fractures were treated by fixation with a combination of Kirschner wire and bone plate.Results:The 15 patients obtained follow-up for 8 to 15 months (average, 11 months). The final follow-up observed fine anatomical relationship of the elbow in all patients, and no such complications as relapse of radial head dislocation, avascular necrosis of the trochlea or early closure of the epiphyseal plate. The transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow obtained bony union in all patients after 5 to 7 weeks (average, 5.6 weeks). The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated at the final follow-up by the Mayo elbow performance score as excellent in 11 cases, as good in 3 and as fair in one.Conclusions:As a type of complicated fracture-dislocation of the elbow, the transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow is rare in children, mainly manifested as simple ones. Treatment options depend on the type of fracture-dislocation. Only anatomical reduction of the olecranon fracture and restoration of a normal trochlear notch can lead to a stable humeroradial joint and thus fine clinical efficacy.

Αbsorbable Plates for Isolated Ulnar Diaphyseal Fractures in Adults - A Case Series Study.

INTRODUCTION: Absorbable materials have been used as fixation devices in orthopaedic surgery. However, their use for treating isolated ulnar diaphyseal fractures in adults has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to assess whether Inion OTPS™ absorbable implants consisting of L-lactide, D, L-lactide, and trimethylene carbonate provide adequate fixation for the healing of isolated ulnar diaphyseal fractures, their complication rate, and the patients' clinical functional outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three consecutive patients (all women; mean age, 45 years, and range 38-55 years) with isolated, unstable ulnar fractures were enrolled and treated operatively using Inion OTPS™ absorbable plates and screws. Discontinuation of the study was decided because of the early failure of all implants. The patients were assessed clinically (DASH Score and grip strength) and radiographically at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. The incidence of late foreign body reactions was evaluated for 10 years follow-up period. RESULTS: Implant failure was noticed radiographically in the early post-operative period in all three patients. Subsequently, one patient was treated operatively using metallic devices, and the other two with prolonged splinting. All fractures healed uneventfully in variable time frames. No foreign body reactions were noticed during and beyond the degradation period, other than a small painless mass in one case. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that the Inion OTPS™ plating system is not appropriate for the fixation of isolated unstable ulnar diaphyseal fractures. It seems that these specific implants cannot withstand the internal mechanical forces of this anatomical area despite the protective splinting.

Combined anterior and posterior approach in treatment of transolecranon fracture-dislocation / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To observe the treatment of transolecranon fracture-dislocation using combined anterior and posterior approach.Methods From September 2010 to October 2014,6 patients (4 males and 2 females) with transolecranon fracture-dislocation were treated via the combined anterior and posterior approach at our department.Their average age was 42.5 years (from 25 to 63 years).One case had open injury (Gustilo-Anderson type I) and 5 closed injury.Six cases were associated with coronoid process fracture and 5 with radial head fracture.Bone union was assessed by elbow anterioposterior and lateral radiographs.The elbow function was assessed at the last follow-up according to the Broberg-Morrey functional rating indexes.Results All the 6 patients achieved primary incision healing with no early complications.They were followed up for an average period of 14 months (from 9 to 22 months).All fractures healed 6 months post-operation.At the last follow-up,the average elbow flexion range was 127° (from 90° to 145°) and the average rotation range was 112°(from 80° to 150°).The mean Broberg and Morrey functional score was 89 points (from 74 to 96 points).Two cases were excellent,3 good,and one moderate.No implant failure,heterotopic ossification or elbow instability was observed at the last follow-up.Conclusion In treatment of transolecranon fracture-dislocation,combined anterior and posterior approach provides clear vision which benefits anatomical reduction and stable fixation.Also it allows early mobilization of the elbow and leads to good short-term results.

Application of anterior internal fixation plus vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of ulnar and radial fractures of Gustilo type Ⅲ / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of anterior internal fixation plus vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of ulnar and radial fractures of Gustilo type Ⅲ.Methods Twenty-eight patients with open ulnar and radial fracture of Gustilo type Ⅲ were managed from April 2007 to March 2014,and were divided into four groups(n =4).Group A were managed with external fixator and conventional changing dressings.Group B were managed with internal fixation and vacuum sealing drainage.Group C were managed with external fixator and vacuum sealing drainage.Group D were managed with internal fixation and conventional changing dressings.Result Twenty-eight cases were adopted telephone follow-up for 6 to 27 months.The soft tissue recovery time of each group respectively was (20.5 ± 2.37) days,(14.7 ±2.16) days,(15.6 ±2.17) days and(19.7 ±2.18) days.The hospital stay of each group respectively was (9.7 ± 2.54) weeks,(4.7 ± 1.46) weeks,(5.2 ± 2.34) weeks and 8.6 ± 2.16) weeks.The fracture healing time of each group respectively was (19.6 ± 2.74) weeks,(13.1±1.84) weeks,(18.1 ±2.54) weeks and (14.7 ± 1.74) weeks.There was significant difference of these data between the two groups(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Anterior internal fixation plus vacuum sealing drainage is a better way to treat ulnar and radial fractures of Gustilo type Ⅲ.The technique has short period,less complications,less painful and less expense.