title: Inserting the Ulnar Prosthesis into Radius as a Novel Salvage Surgery for Revision Total Elbow Arthroplasty with Massive Bone Defect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection and aseptic loosening are common complications of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and often require revision surgery. However, bone defects, along with other complications, bring an extra difficulty to the second surgery, especially for patients with a massive bone defect in the proximal ulna. Several methods including allograft or autograft have been introduced into practice, but none sufficiently solves these problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a new surgical method for patients with a massive ulnar bone defect needing revision TEA. During revision arthroplasty, the ulnar prosthesis was inserted into the radius as a salvage procedure. Four consecutive patients received revision arthroplasty with this method between 2013 and 2016. Patients' data were collected to evaluate the clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had a Grade III ulnar bone defect. At the last follow-up session, all patients reported a painless, functional elbow joint. Three patients suffered from a periprosthetic infection that was completely cured using the two-stage method. No major complications, including infection, aseptic loosening, or wound problems were found. One patient had a transient ulnar neuritis, and another had a transient radial neuritis. Both patients had full recovery at the last follow-up session.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inserting an ulnar prosthesis into the radius is a novel procedure for patients with a massive bone defect due to infection or aseptic loosening. It is a safe, quick, and effective treatment with a promising short-term outcome. This method should be provided as a salvage procedure for patients with a nonreconstructable ulnar bone defect.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
authors: Mao-Qi
authors: MQ
authors: Gong
authors: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
authors: Ji-Le
authors: JL
authors: Jiang
authors: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
authors: Xie-Yuan
authors: XY
authors: Jiang
authors: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
authors: Ye-Jun
authors: YJ
authors: Zha
authors: Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, China.
authors: Ting
authors: T
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011884:Radius / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014457:Ulna / Q000601:surgery*