title: Comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humeral condyles. Surgical vs. nonsurgical treatment.
abstract: Forty-two comminuted intraarticular fractures of the humeral condyles treated between 1975 and 1981 were analyzed in order to compare the results of operative versus nonoperative management. Twenty-nine patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation; the remainder were treated by nonoperative techniques. Functional results were evaluated by the method of Bickel and Perry. Of the patients treated by open reduction and internal fixation, 76% had an excellent or good result. Of the nonsurgically-treated patients, only eight percent had a satisfactory result. Anatomic restoration by open reduction and rigid internal fixation in conjunction with early motion was associated with satisfactory results. The preferred surgical exposure was a posterior "U" incision with extraarticular olecranon osteotomy. This provided good visualization and facilitated anatomic restoration in these complex fractures.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000628:therapy*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography