[Fracture of the radial head: the role of excision].
OBJECTIVE
We assessed retrospectively forty cases of radial head fractures treated by excision.


METHODS
The series is composed of men in 60% of cases and women in 40% of cases. The age of patients ranged from 15 to 68 years with an average of 37 years. According to Duparc classification, the fracture was type II in 20% of cases, type III in 32%, type IV in 42% and type V in 6%. An associated lesion in the same elbow was seen in 50% of cases; elbow dislocation was present in 38% of cases. The average of operative delay was 14 days (0 - 40 days).


RESULTS
The functional result was evaluated according to clinical score of Western Orthopaedic society. The results were satisfactory. We have noted a correlation between functional result and associated lesions, the delay of excision and postoperative immobilisation. Valgus ulna and ascension of the radius was minors and well tolerated exceptly in cases of fractures associated to elbow dislocations.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the results, we think that excision of radial head can be proposed essentially for the treatment of isolated radial head fracture.
Service des urgences traumatologiques, Hôpital Aziza Othmana, La Kasba 1008 Tunis, Tunisie.
Mounir
M
Chebil
Mohamed Lassaad
ML
Kanoun
Mahmoud
M
Ben Maitigue
Chakib
C
Khemiri
Nawfel
N
Haddad
Adel
A
Khorbi
Abdelhamid
A
Hachem
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome