Abstract
Introduction: Fractures of the elbow constitute about 7% of adult fractures; distal humerus fractures account for less than half of all elbow fractures.
There is evidence, however, that incidence is increasing.
Investigators in Finland performed a retrospective review of hospital admission records between 1970 and 1995 and found that the age-adjusted increase in incidence in women older than 60 years had more than doubled.
Treatment of intraarticular comminuted distal humeral fractures is a surgical challenge, adequate reduction of the joint surface demands avoidance of residual step or gap of the articular surface and providing a stable fracture fixation.
Aim: To evaluate our initial experience in internal fixation by using bioabsorbable screws by treatment of patients suffered from comminuted distal humeral fractures.
Material and methods: 5 patients with sever intraarticular comminuted distal humeral fractures were treated using bioabsorbable screws. A standard transolecranon approach was used. Internal fixation was performed using lateral and medial plates. Additional bioabsorbable screws (pins) were used to fix separate intraarticuar fragments of the distal humeral bone.
Results: By follow up all fractures were healed with out secondary displacement of fractures. All five patients returned to the preoperative activity, ROM of operated joints was in functional limits. Insertion bioabsorbable screws thorough articular surface allows preserve intraarticular bone fragments on the place until solid consolidation without need in additional operative procedure of removing implanted devices.
Conclusion: Our experience suggests that the bioabsorbable screws can serve as useful augmentation in surgical repair of severe intraarticular comminuted fractures of the elbow joint. Future clinical study
Correspondence should be addressed to: Orah Naor, IOA Secretary and Co-ordinator (email: ioanaor@netvision.net.il)
