[Operative treatment of anterior olecranon fracture-dislocation]

To investigate the method and effectiveness of operative treatment of anterior olecranon fracture-dislocation.

Between January 2007 and December 2010, 10 cases of anterior olecranon fracture-dislocation were treated. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 46.1 years (range, 27-68 years). The injury was caused by traffic accident in 7 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, and falling in 1 case. Nine cases were fresh fracture and 1 case was old fracture. There were 9 cases of ulnar olecranon comminuted fracture and 1 case of simple oblique fracture. Associated fractures were Regan-Morrey type III coronoid process fractures in 5 cases, Mason type II radial head fracture in 1 case, and Mason type III radial head fracture in 1 case. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in all cases: reconstruction plates were used in 4 cases, tension band and reconstruction plates in 5 cases, and tension band and one-third tubular plate in 1 case; bone graft was performed in 2 cases.

All incisions healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 19.8 months). The X-ray films showed that fractures healing was achieved at 12-24 weeks (mean, 16.4 weeks). No failure of internal fixation, ulnohumeral joint instability, or traumatic arthritis occurred. At last follow-up, the elbow function score was 69-100 (mean, 89.1) according to the Broberg-Morrey evaluation criteria; the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 80%. The Disability of Arm-Shoulder-Hand (DASH) score was 0-22 (mean, 9). The visual analogue score (VAS) was 0-3 (mean, 0.5).

For anterior olecranon fracture-dislocation, an early and stable anatomic reconstruction of the trochlear notch of the ulna with plates and early active mobilization are given, the good functional results can be obtained.