title: Outcome of isolated olecranon fractures in skeletally immature patients: comparison of open reduction and tension band wiring fixation versus closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The olecranon fracture is an uncommon injury reported to incur many possible complications in children. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of two different surgical techniques in isolated olecranon fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 22 children with isolated olecranon fracture treated by open reduction and tension band wiring fixation versus closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. We compared the dislocation before and after surgery by radiography. The patients were evaluated clinically with Quick DASH(®).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both techniques showed good radiological and clinical outcome (Quick DASH(®) 1.82 vs. 3.42) with no statistically significance difference (p > 0.05). In two cases (16.6 %) of the group treated with cannulated screw, it was necessary to convert into open reduction to obtain optimal reduction of the fracture. All the children returned to previous activity. In four cases, the extension of the elbow was slightly reduced (15°-20°), with no statistically significant difference in the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is not contraindicated to operate skeletally immature patients with displaced olecranon fracture. However, results were essentially the same, and so either method is a satisfactory choice for pediatric displaced olecranon fractures, with equally acceptable radiological results and similar rate of complications and clinical outcome at final follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 1 Place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corradin
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10100, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marengo
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10100, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreacchio
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10100, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paonessa
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10100, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 1 Place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samba
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 1 Place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rousset
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, University Hospital Estaing, 1 Place Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France. canavese_federico@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canavese
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D056740:Olecranon Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D000070799:Open Fracture Reduction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Children; Displaced; Elbow; Olecranon fracture; Outcome; Surgery