[Indications for operation in elbow dislocation]

This paper briefly presents the anatomy of the elbow joint, its pathophysiology, the various types of dislocation of the elbow joint and concomitant injuries, the appropriate diagnostic procedures and the indications for surgery and the operative technique applied for correction of dislocation. The only urgent indications for operative treatment are elbow joint dislocation with concomitant bone injuries, persistent instability or luxation position, open injuries and vessel and/or nerve injuries. For purely ligamentous lesions combined with relative loss of stability an operative procedure does not seem necessary. The operative technique applied for the treatment of habitual or recurrent dislocation is also described.