Approach of extra-articular oblique osteotomy of olecranon for the surgical management of intercondylar fracture of humerus
- VernacularTitle:经尺骨鹰嘴关节外斜行截骨治疗肱骨髁间骨折
- Author:
Yinghua WU
;
Tieliang ZHANG
;
Shuo JIN
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Humeral fractures;
Osteotomy;
Treatment outcome
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2001;0(08):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the surgical management and its results of intercondylar fracture of humerus through approach of extra-articular oblique osteotomy of olecranon. Methods From March 1995 to October 2003, 26 patients of intercondylar fracture of humerus were treated surgically through approach of extra-articular oblique osteotomy of olecranon, and the fracture was reduced and fixed with "8" steel wire. The patients were 15 men and 11 women with a mean age of 43.2 years (range 19-68 years). 14 fractures occurred on the left extremity and 12 on the right. The fractures resulted from traffic accident or fall in 23 and other trauma in 3. According to AO/ASIF classifation, type C1 fracture was found in 3, C2 in 5 and C3 in 18. 5 patients suffered open fracture(Custilo scaleⅠin 3, and Ⅱ in 2). Contusion of skin occurred in 3 and multiple injuries in 5, while primary injury of ulnar nerve occurred in 4. The rehabilitation exercises began at 2-7 d post-operatively. The healing of the osteotomy was evaluated with physical examination and plain X-ray film, and the function of elbow was assessed according to Cassebaum scale. Results 21 patients were followed from 9 months to 8 years(average, 18 months). Of these 21 cases, all the osteotomies healed in 6.2 weeks averagely, no nonunion, delayed union, separation or malunion was found. Heterotopic ossification occurred in 4 cases, and obviously limited locomotion of elbow in 2. Of the 4 patients with primary injury of ulnar nerve, no breaking was found during exploration, and the nerve was displaced anteriorly. 3 of these 4 patients recovered completely, and mild sensory disturbance and dyskinesis remained in 1. The function of the elbow showed excellent in 12, good in 6, fair in 1 and poor in 2. The locomotion of the elbow averaged 110?. Conclusion The use of the approach of extra-articular oblique osteotomy of olecranon for surgical management of intercondylar fracture of humerus has many advantages, it provides satisfactory stability with simple technical procedure avoiding intra-articular invasion, it facilitates rehabilitation exercises and provides good results with low complication rate.