title: [Floating elbow: retrospective study and review of literature].
abstract: The floating elbow represents an uncommon combination of lesions in traumatology. Few studies have described this lesion especially in adults. Over a period of 6 years, 12 floating elbows were reviewed retrospectively. One osteoporotic elderly patient was treated conservatively. Reduction and internal fixation using different implants was performed in the other patients. Consolidation was obtained at the humerus at 3 months (2.5-3.5 months) on average, and 2.6 months (2-3 months) at forearm bones. According to the classification of Lange and Foster, our functional results were good in 67% of cases, fair in 17% and poor in 16% cases. Good functional prognosis of the upper limb requires rapid and adequate management of floating elbows. Internal fixation followed by early rehabilitation is recommended. The choice of surgical acts depends on the location of fractures. This strategy gave satisfactory results.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie ostéoarticulaire B4, CHU Hassan II de Fès, Fès, Maroc. halimibrahimi@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Ibrahimi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daoudi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elmrini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries