title: Reconstruction of traumatic losses of substance at the elbow.
abstract: Traumatic lesions at the elbow involving great loss of substance are uncommon, but represent a significant problem when such cases are referred to a trauma department. Most of these injuries may cause severe final functional impairment, thereby jeopardising future activities, particularly in cases where treatment was delayed or inappropriate. The timing and method of treatment are critical. The trauma may involve soft tissues only, or bone and joint, or several structures at the same time, which results in combined complex tissue defects. Each type of tissue loss should be managed by choosing the most suitable technique from the armamentarium of reconstructive surgery, taking into account different priorities and the optimum timing (immediate or delayed, one- or two-stages). The authors describe a spectrum of indications and techniques that can be useful tools in managing these injuries.
authors.affiliation: U.O.C Muscoloskeletal Traumatology, U.O.D. Microsurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: bruno.battiston@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Battiston
authors.affiliation: U.O.C Muscoloskeletal Traumatology, U.O.D. Microsurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasario
authors.affiliation: U.O.C Muscoloskeletal Traumatology, U.O.D. Microsurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ciclamini
authors.affiliation: U.O.C Muscoloskeletal Traumatology, U.O.D. Microsurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rollero
authors.affiliation: U.O.C Muscoloskeletal Traumatology, U.O.D. Microsurgery, C.T.O. Hospital, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tos
mesh_terms: D003646:Debridement; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000294:innervation; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Bone reconstruction; Complex injuries; Elbow; Soft tissue reconstruction; Traumatic loss of substance