We conducted this study to discriminate transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow from the anterior Monteggia lesion and to validate the differences of method of treatment.

From March, 1998 to May, 1999, 3 cases of the transolecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow were treated by open reduction and internal fixation.One of the three patients had simple oblique fracture of the olecranon combined with capitellum fracture and two had complex comminuted fracture of the olecranon. Functional outcome was assessed with elbow performance rating system of Broberg and Morrey.

At a minimum follow-up of 12 months, overall outcome was rated as exellent in two patients, fair in one. Average bone union peoriod was three months.

Stable restoration of the accurate contour and dimension of the trochlear notch of the olecranon and early ROM exercise will lead to good result in transolecranon fracture-dislocation cases.