Sideswipe elbow fractures.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Sideswipe elbow fractures (SSEFs) are severe injuries often involving multiple bone and soft tissue structures.
• Operative management is frequently required for these complex fractures.

Observation:

• A retrospective review of five SSEF cases treated between 1982 and 1992 was conducted.
• Injuries included open fractures of the olecranon, radius, ulna, humerus, and traumatic arm amputation.
• Concomitant neurovascular injuries were common, including radial, median, and ulnar nerve palsies, and brachial artery damage.

Findings:

• Treatment involved irrigation, debridement, open reduction internal fixation, external fixation, or delayed amputation.
• Functional outcomes for three of four reconstructed patients showed average ranges of motion: 130/-10 degrees flexion/extension and 60/60 degrees pronation/supination.

Implications:

• Operative intervention for SSEFs can restore significant elbow function despite injury severity.
• Early and aggressive management of neurovascular complications is crucial for optimal outcomes in elbow trauma.
• Further research is needed to optimize surgical techniques for complex elbow fractures.