title: Clinical results of the re-fixation of a Chevron olecranon osteotomy using an intramedullary cancellous screw and suture tension band.
abstract: Exposure of the distal humerus in case of an articular fracture is often performed through a Chevron osteotomy of the olecranon. Several options have been described for re-fixation of the Chevron osteotomy. Pull-out of the hard-wear is often seen as complication. In this study, an evaluation of the re-fixation of the Chevron osteotomy through a cancellous screw and suture tension band was performed. The data of 19 patients in whom a Chevron osteotomy was re-fixated with a cancellous screw in combination with a suture tension band were used. Evaluation was performed by assessment of the post-operative X-rays and documentation of complications. In all 19 cases, evaluation of the post-operative X-rays showed complete consolidation without dislocation or other complications. Re-fixation of a Chevron osteotomy of the olecranon with a large cancellous screw with a suture tension band provides adequate stability to result in proper healing of the osteotomy in primary cases when early post-operative mobilisation is allowed. Complications as pull-out of the hard-wear were not reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rijnstate Ziekenhuis, Pb 9555, 6800 TA, Arnhem, The Netherlands, mlwagener@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marc L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wagener
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dezillie
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hoendervangers
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eygendaal