Treatment of ulnar coronoid process fractures in complex
elbow injury with plate fixation through an anterior approach

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.1934

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Ulnar coronoid process has special anatomy and it is adjacent to vascular nerve. It is characterized by weak fixation, unstable recurrence, postoperative elbow joint stiffness and pain. These make the treatment of ulnar coronoid process fracture, in particular in complex elbow joint injuries, challenged.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of internal fixation with steel plate through an anterior approach on ulnar coronoid process Regan-Morrey type II or type III fracture in complex elbow injury.

METHODS: Sixteen patients with complex elbow injury and ulnar coronoid process fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation were followed up between September 2012 and May 2017. Among these patients, 11 patients had Regan-Morrey type II fracture, 5 patients had Regan-Morrey type III fracture, 14 patients had humeral head fracture, and 2 patients had ulnar olecranon fracture. All patients provided written informed consent. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Hong Hui Hospital, China. Ulnar coronoid process fractures were reduced and fixed with steel plate through the space between the median nerve and the radial artery using an anterior approach. At the same time, all radial humeral head and olecranon fractures were treated by internal fixation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients acquired acceptable reduction and firm fixation of fractured fragments. All of them were followed up for 13-28 months. At the final follow-up, solid osseous union was confirmed for all coronoid fractures. The average time to radiologic union was 16.5 weeks. The mean flexion-extension arc was 113.4°, the flexion contracture was 13.8°, and further flexion was 127.2°. The mean pronation arc was 72.5°. The mean supination arc was 74.7°, and the mean forearm rotation arc was 146.9°. 11 patients achieved functional arc of motion. All patients were satisfied with the treatment with the mean Mayo Elbow Performance score of 90.3 points. 11 patients achieved excellent elbow performance and 5 patients achieved good elbow performance. These results suggest that ulnar coronoid process fractures in complex elbow injury can be treated successfully with an anterior surgical approach. This approach allows for accurate and rigid internal fixation with steel plate and early functional exercise, resulting in a reasonable outcome.

Key words: ulnar coronoid process, fracture, anterior approach, steel plate, internal fixation, follow up

CLC Number:

Feng Weilou, Li Shuhao, Zhang Kun, Zhu Yangjun, Heng Lisong, Li Zijun, Zhang Jun, Feng Dongxu. Treatment of ulnar coronoid process fractures in complex elbow injury with plate fixation through an anterior approach [J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2020, 24(6): 850-855.

Figures/Tables 4

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