Internal Fixation Using Double Plates for Comminuted Olecranon Fractures in Adults

Hyun-Dae Shin; Jae-Hoon Yang; Pil-Sung Kim

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2009.22.3.166

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Shin, Yang, and Kim: Internal Fixation Using Double Plates for Comminuted Olecranon Fractures in Adults

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2009; 22(3): 166-171.

Published online: 31 July 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2009.22.3.166

Internal Fixation Using Double Plates for Comminuted Olecranon Fractures in Adults

Hyun-Dae Shin, M.D., Jae-Hoon Yang, M.D., Pil-Sung Kim, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hyun-Dae Shin, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 640, Daesa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-721, Korea. Tel: 82-42-280-7349, Fax: 82-42-252-7098, hyunsd@cnu.ac.kr

Received 3 November 2008 Revised 14 December 2008 Accepted 26 April 2009

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of internal fixation with double plates for comminuted olecranon fractures.

Materials and Methods

Nine patients with olecranon fractures which are classified into Mayo type IIB (7 cases) and type IIIB (2 cases) underwent internal fixation using double plates from June 2002 to September 2005. They were followed-up for more than 12 months and average period of follow-up was 14 (12~18) months. Six cases were males and three were females. Mean age was 40.7 (21~63) years. We used open reduction and internal fixation using double plates. Clinical assessment index was pain, range of motion (ROM), stability and function of joint at last follow-up. The sum of four indices were compared. Also, we evaluated starting time of full ROM exercise, bony union time and complications.

Results

All cases started postoperative ROM within 7 days and clinical results were evaluated using Mayo elbow performance index. 'Excellent', 'good' were 2, 6 cases, respectively and 1 case was 'fair'. Elbow ROM was more than 110° in all cases except one. Mean radiological bony union time was 3.9 (2.5~5) months postoperatively. There were heterotrophic ossifications in 3 cases as complication.

Conclusion

Internal fixation using double plates for comminuted olecranon fractures in adults can be good treatment option which obtains good clinical results and enables early ROM.

Keywords: Olecranon comminuted fractures, Internal fixation using double plates, Early ROM

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Preoperative simple radiographs showed Mayo type IIB olecranon fracture.

(B) In 3D-CT, we found the comminuted and displaced fracture of olecranon.

(C) The fracture was fixed internally using double plates.

(D) On 12 months after surgery, simple radiographs show rigid fixation of fracture site and no loosening of plates.

Fig. 2

(A) On preoperative radiological evaluation, we diagnosed Mayo type IIB, comminuted olecranon fracture.

(B) Postoperative simple radiographs showing internal fixation using double plates.

(C) On 14 months after surgery, follow-up radiographs show heterotrophic ossification around olecranon, but fracture was fixed rigidly.

Table 1

Data of the patients

^*TA: Traffic accident, ^†FFH: Fall from height.

Table 2

Clinical results of each cases

^*ROM: Range of motion, ^†Comb hair, feed, hygine, shirt, shoe are 5 point respectively.

Table 3

Complications

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