Functional outcome after operative treatment of eight type III coronoid process fractures.
BACKGROUND
There have been few reports about surgical outcomes of coronoid process fractures. Eight cases of clinical results of type III coronoid process fractures were reviewed.


METHODS
Eight patients with coronoid type III fracture were retrospectively reviewed. All were men with an average age of 33 years. There were three isolated fractures, two elbow dislocations, two radial head and neck fractures, and one medial collateral ligament rupture. An open reduction and internal fixation through an anterior approach with cannulated screws was used. The patients were followed up for a mean of 31 months (range, 24-60 months).


RESULTS
Average active elbow joint motion at the most recent follow-up was 105 degrees. The average Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 76.9 (range, 50-95). Of the results, there was one excellent, four good, two fair, and one poor.


CONCLUSIONS
Early open reduction and stable internal fixation provided a reliable method for the treatment of type III coronoid process fractures. Any associated injuries to the elbow and fracture comminution were considered as important prognostic factors.
Jeon
In-Ho
IH
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Taegu, Korea. cwoh@knu.ac.kr
Oh
Chang-Wug
CW
Kyung
Hee-Soo
HS
Park
Byung-Chul
BC
Kim
Poong-Taek
PT
Ihn
Joo-Chul
JC
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries