title: Clinical results after different operative treatment methods of radial head and neck fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no consensus on optimal treatment strategy for Mason type II-IV fractures. Most recommendations are based upon experts' opinion.
  
  
  METHODS
  An OVID-based literature search were performed to identify studies on surgical treatment of radial head and neck fracture. Specific focus was placed on extracting data describing clinical efficacy and outcome by using the Mason classification and including elbow function scores. A total of 841 clinical studies were identified describing in total the clinical follow-up of 1264 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For type II radial head and neck fractures the significant best treatment option seems to be ORIF with an overall success rate of 98% by using screws or biodegradable (polylactide) pins. ORIF with a success rate of 92% shows the best results in the treatment of type III fractures and seem to be better than resection and implantation of a prosthesis. For this fracture type the ORIF with screws (96%), biodegradable (polylactide) pins (88%) and plates (83%) showed the best results. In the treatment of type IV fractures similar results could be found with a tendency of the best results after ORIF followed by resection and implantation of a prosthesis. If a prosthesis was implanted, the primary implantation seems to be associated with a better outcome after type III (87%) and IV (82%) fractures compared to the results after a secondary implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations for surgical treatment of radial head and neck fractures according to the Mason classification can now be given with the best available evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Straße 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: joern.zwingmann@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwingmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Welzel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dovi-Akue
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmal
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Südkamp
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Strohm
mesh_terms: D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Mason classification; Meta-analysis; Radial head fracture; Radial neck fracture; Systematic review