Abstract
We reviewed 32 Monteggia lesions in children. The age of injured patients ranged from 3 to 16 years with an average of 9.0 years. The boys were affected three times (24:8) more than girls. According to Bado classification, there were 9 lesions of type I, 8 type I variant, 2 type II, one type II variant, 12 type III and no case of type IV injuries. Recongnition of the lesion of radial head was delayed (>1 week) in 7 patients. In 25 fresh lesions of the radial head, 16 patients treated by closed reduction, and 9 patients by open reduction. Six patients of these 9 failed patients occurred in type I variant lesion. Treatments of 7 delayed lesions of radial head were closed reduction in 3, open reduction in one and reconstruction of annular ligament in 3. Locational incidences of ulna fracture were metaphysis in 19, disphysis of upper one third in 5, junction of upper and middle one third in 4, middle one third in 3 and distal one third in one. Treatments of 32 ulna fracture were closed reduction in 19 and open reduction with metal fixation in 13. Posterior interosseus nerve injuries were observed in 3 patients(9%) and these associated injury recovered in all cases completely within 3 weeks. Twenty-two children were followed for more than one year after fracture and showed 14 excellent, 5 good, 2 fair, and one poor results by Bruce's evaluation method.