title: Floating elbow in a polytrauma patient: timing and surgical strategy.
abstract: A 22-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of polytrauma following a car accident. The instrumental investigations detected parenchymatous and bone lesions, including a floating elbow (articular distal humerus fracture associated with ipsilateral forearm fracture). After initial temporary stabilization with external fixator and restoration of hemodynamics, we proceeded to the fixation of the upper limb. To reduce local and general risks of complications, a two-stage reconstruction technique has been applied.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Hospital of Este (Padova), Via San Fermo 10, I-35042 Este (Padova), Italy. Electronic address: gianluca.bisinella@ulss17.it.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bisinella
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Hospital of Este (Padova), Via San Fermo 10, I-35042 Este (Padova), Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellon
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003422:Critical Care; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: articular fractures of distal humerus; floating elbow fracture; polytrauma; surgical timing