Management of open olecranon fractures using clamp-cum-compressor device

Open fractures of olecranon are not a rare occurrence in patients with road traffic accidents particularly motor bike riders who don't use elbow guards. Definitive treatment has to be delayed in many till the wound heals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the results of open fractures of olecranon using clamp-cum-compressor device.

Seventeen patients between the ages of 20 and 45 years of open olecranon fractures reported 5-20 days after injury were treated using an indigenous clamp-cum-compressor. All fractures were Mayo type II-A, i.e., displaced, stable and noncomminuted. Four patients had Gustilo-Anderson grade I and 13 had Gustilo-Anderson grade II open fractures. The patients with transverse or short oblique fractures were included in the study. The apparatus was applied under regional anesthesia after thorough washing and debridement of wounds with few loose sutures applied wherever needed. The wounds healed within 2-4 weeks and fractures united within 8-10 weeks. The elbow was mobilized with apparatus still in place. The results were evaluated by MayoElbow performance score.

We achieved excellent results in twelve patients, good in four and poor in one patient, who reported late, hooks of the apparatus were cut through the proximal fragment, leading to union of fracture in elongation and restricted elbow movements.

The apparatus was found to be quite useful in transverse and short oblique fractures with contamination or infection, where internal fixation has to be delayed or avoided.