title: Results of total elbow arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed elbow reconstructive operations.
abstract: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) was used as a salvage procedure following failed open reduction and internation fixation, failed triaxial arthroplasties, and septic and aseptic loosening of implant arthroplasty. A minimally constrained bicondylar implant with a block to disarticulation was substituted for the reconstruction of 20 revision TEAs. Custom-designed implant TEA was substituted in cases with substantial bony or soft tissue loss. Revision of the polyethylene-bearing component, coupled with the addition of a yolk-type locking mechanism, was implanted when only the bearing system of a well-fixed implant had failed. TEA can be performed successfully with satisfactory durability as a revision procedure. Revision of failed open reduction internal fixation or a failed bearing system was highly successful. Revision of previously infected elbows in a single-stage procedure was unsuccessful in two of three cases and has been abandoned in favor of a staged procedure. A revision of loose TEA was successful in only three of five cases. Further investigations are necessary to improve the function durability of TEA.
mesh_terms: D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D000092464:Elbow Injuries