title: Transolecranon anterior fracture dislocation.
abstract: Between January 1996 and July 2003, 93 consecutive patients operated on with a diagnosis of olecranon fractures were identified from our trauma unit files. Fourteen transolecranon fracture-dislocations were found after a retrospective X-radiographic evaluation. Eight patients were women and six were men, with a mean age of 54 years. There were 4 noncomminuted olecranon fractures, treated with K-wires and single tension-band wiring. The remaining 10 fractures were complex fractures, treated in 3 cases with multiple K-wires and single tension-band wiring, in 2 by use of one-third tubular plates, in 1 with a 3.5-mm dynamic compression plate, and in the remaining 4 with 3.5-mm reconstruction plates. Ligament repair was not performed in any case. Three patients needed reoperation because of early failure of primary fixation. Patients were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. Two reported difficulties in daily activities, none with any symptoms of elbow instability. According to the Broberg and Morrey score, 4 patients had excellent results, 6 had good results, 2 had fair results, and 2 had poor results. Four patients showed signs of degenerative arthritis on the radiographs obtained at follow-up. We conclude that transolecranon fracture-dislocation is an underreported and misdiagnosed injury. Various fixation techniques can restore the anatomic relationships and contour of the trochlear notch; the imperative goal is to obtain a good stable primary fixation and allow early active mobilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Elyazid.Mouhsine@hospvd.ch
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mouhsine
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akiki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castagna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cikes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wettstein
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Borens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garofalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000092464:Elbow Injuries