[Treatment results after primary and secondary resection of the radial head]

Apart from comminuted fractures of the radial head the indication for resection of the radial head is discussed controversially. To evaluate our own results, the hospital notes of 113 patients treated between 1.1.1984-31.12.1994 in our clinic by posttraumatic primary or secondary radial head resection were examined retrospectively. 79 patients were controlled by clinical and radiological examination with an average follow-up of 37.8 months. We examined at 46 patients the influence of additional lesions of the elbow joint on the functional outcome. In 33 patients follow up was done with special regard to the time of resection. Poor results due to the score from Radian and Riseborough especially followed secondary radial head resection (> 14 days after trauma) and in case of additional elbow lesions. We could not observe problems of the wrist joint after radial head resection as described by other authors. According to our own experience primary resection is recommended in case of doubtful reconstruction of the radial head. In these fracture types radial head resection should not be seen as an alternative treatment because of the worse results following secondary resection.