PURPOSETo evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of comminuted radial head fractures, which were not amenable for classical open reduction with internal fixation, treated by on-table reconstruction and fixation using low profile plates.

METHODSWe reviewed 6 patients of Mason type III radial head fractures treated by on-table reconstruction technique between 2011 and 2013. There were 5 men and 1 woman with a mean age of 35 years (range 25-46 years). All surgeries were carried out at our tertiary care level 1 trauma centre within a mean of 3 days (range 1-8 days) from date of injury using on-table reconstruction technique. The functional outcome was measured using elbow functional rating index described by Broberg and Morrey and the patient-based Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome measure.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up period was 25 months. The average elbow flexion was 135°(range 125°-140°) and theaverage flexion contracture was 5°(range 0-10°). The average supination and pronation was 75°(range 70°-80°) and 70°(range 65°-82°) respectively. According to Broberg and Morrey scoring system, the average score was 90 points (range 75-100). The mean DASH score was 2.49 points.

CONCLUSIONOn-table reconstruction and fixation of comminuted radial head fractures using low profile plates is a reasonable option. The reconstructed radial head acts as spacer and provides reasonably good results and no surgical intervention is required for asymptomatic nonunion of these fractures regardless of the radiological findings.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

False aneurysm of the femoral artery is a rare complication of intertrochanteric fracture. Most of these situations are due to iatrogenic trauma or the trauma itself and are rarely caused by dislocated bone fragments. Here we report a case of a 72-year-old man who presented acutely with a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery from the spike of a lesser trochanter fragment. Percutaneous endovascular treatment of the pseudoaneurysm with a covered stent was undertaken on an urgent basis. Five days later, the patient was operated upon and the lesser trochanter fragment was excised through an anterior incision and the intertrochanteric fracture was fixed using dynamic hip screws. The fracture was united at 10 weeks. At one-year's follow-up, there were no graft-related complications. This case illustrates that an intertrochanteric fracture with a displaced lesser trochanter fragment can present acutely with bleeding and a pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery.
Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; etiology ; surgery ; Femoral Artery ; Hip Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male