Abstract
Aim: In order to determine the reliability of the ORIF of bicondylar fractures in elderly patients, we will present the results of the patients aged above 60 years in which ORIF with plates is a method of choice. Materials & Method: For the period 1996–2001 year, 20 patients with dislocated bicondylar fractures were operated with mean age Ð 70.7 (63.8). All of them were followed up Ð 14 women and 6 men. The AO types were: C1 Ð 7; C2 Ð 5; C3 Ð 8. Five patients were with þrst and second type open fractures.
Fifteen patients were operated immediately and the rest Ð between the 5th and the 10th day. The average operative time was 335 minutes. The patients were operated by the standard technique of AO. Osteotomy of the olecranon was used in all patients except for 3 patients. All the fractures were stabilised with 2 plates except for 2 patients (1 plate). The osteotomy was þxated with a tension wire and K-wires. Carefully assisted rehabilitation was started at average on the 9th day. Results: The patients were monitored for 13 to 56 months. None had serious infections. One case resulted in failure of þxation and nonunion. In order to assess the function of the elbow joint we used Morrey& Chao, DASH, and average arch of movement. Scoring: 83,02 (±24,59); 20,10 (±21,66); 97û(±37,83).Conclusions: We consider that the operative treatment with plates of the bicondylar fractures in the elderly can provide good clinical results in the hands of the experienced surgeon.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
