title: Surgical treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this systematic review was to critically examine the outcomes of lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the literature was performed. Two reviewers assessed and confirmed the methodologic and patient data from the included studies. Frequency-weighted means were calculated for outcomes that were present in multiple studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies fulfilled our criteria, and they included 130 patients. The mean age was 38.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 44.5 months. Traumatic dislocation was the most common cause of PLRI. Of the studies that reported the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, 91% of patients had good or excellent results, with a frequency-weighted mean of 91. Improvement in elbow range of motion was noted (133° to 138° of flexion [P < .0001] and 6.6° to 3.9° of extension [P = .005]). A complication rate of 11% was noted, with recurrent instability noted to occur in 8% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLRI of the elbow remains to be fully understood. Treatment strategies vary and should be performed based on surgeon experience and evidence available. Most patients will have good or excellent results after surgery; however, up to 11% of patients may have complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, systematic review of Level II through IV studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, California, U.S.A.. Electronic address: oanakwenze@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oke A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Anakwenze
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods