Supraintercondylar fractures of the humerus--treatment by the Vigliani osteosynthesis

Nineteen cases of supraintercondylar fractures of the humerus treated by the Vigliani osteosynthesis technique are described. This consists of wide transolecranon exposure of the fracture, stabilisation of the epiphyseal fragments with a transcondylar screw, and of the metaphyseo-epiphyseal junction with two condylo-diaphyseal "Eiffel Tower" Kirschner wires. The ulnar nerve is transposed anteriorly and the operation is carried out early in order to prevent neural disturbances and intra and/or periarticular ossification. The results confirm the validity of this method, which respects the delicate structure of this part of the humerus. Postoperative plaster is necessary as an indispensable complement to "minimum" osteosynthesis but this is quite free from risk. The importance of careful and gradual mobilisation of the elbow is also confirmed. Finally, this method combines the advantages of stable osteosynthesis in compression (screw and nut) at the epiphyseal site, with those of elastic osteosynthesis (Kirschner wires) at the metaphyseo-epiphyseal junction.