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
This retrospective study assessed the outcomes of 30 patients with phalangeal fractures which were treated by open reduction and tension band wiring. Oblique, transverse and comminuted extraarticular fractures, as well as intraarticular fractures, were treated with this technique and they all united in about 8 weeks. There were no significant complications. At a mean follow-up period of 2.3 years, the active range of movement of the involved fingers was excellent in 17, and good in 13 instances. There were no fair or poor results.
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Fractures of olecranon are common fractures in upper limb. Tension band wiring (TBW) and plate fixation (PF) are mostly used techniques but choice is based on type of fracture and surgeon’s preference.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A study assessed functional results in 28 patients that were enrolled after the clinical event of trauma has occurred. Patients were divided into two groups- Group (A) for TBW and Group (B) for PF; here gender, age and side of fracture were ignored. Post-operative functional outcome were evaluated by using the Mayo Elbow Performance (MEP) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score parameters.</p><p><strong>Results:<em> </em></strong>Mean (SD) union time as determined by postoperative radiographs was 8.5 (1.48) weeks for group (A) and 9 (2.08) weeks for group (B). Mean (SD) MEP score at 9 months in group (A) 84.28 (7.28) and 80.71 (10.92) in group (B). Mean (SD) DASH at 9 months in group (A) 12.2 (8.8) and 11.7 (10.4) in group (B). Complications were reported in group (A) 6 patient (42.85%) out of 14 patients and in group (B) 1 patient (7.14%) out of 14 patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:<em> </em></strong>The current study shows that there are no significant differences in functional outcome between both the study groups. Due to lesser complications, we recommend the plate fixation approach as the better choice for transverse displaced olecranon fractures. More large scale studies are required to further confirm our results.</p>
Results of closed reduction percutaneous screw fixation and open reduction internal fixation in tibial plateau fractures