Double-Bending Tension Band Wire for Olecranon Fractures: A Novel Technique

This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of conventional tension band wire (TBW), TBW with penetrating technique, and double-bending technique.

A total of 40 patients (17 men and 23 women; mean age: 64.0 ± 19.0 years) who underwent surgery for displaced olecranon fractures between January 2018 and December 2021 were included and divided into three groups based on the surgical method used (group A, conventional TBW; group B, TBW with penetrating technique; and group C, double-bending technique). Thirteen patients were assigned to group A, 17 to group B, and 10 to group C, including 2 Mayo type IB, 30 Mayo type IIA, and 8 Mayo type IIB fractures. Postoperative outcomes (elbow extension and flexion arc) and complications, such as backing out of the Kirschner wire (K-wire), were retrospectively evaluated.

No significant difference was found in the general characteristics of the patients and fracture type among the three groups. The mean elbow extension arc values were 6.2°, 10.9°, and 0° in groups A, B, and C, respectively; it was significantly better in group C than in group B (P = .001). The rates of backing out of the K-wire were 84.6% (11/13) in group A, 41.2% (7/17) in group B, and 0% (0/10) in group C; the rate was significantly lower in group C than in group A (P < .001).

The double-bending technique may be the best procedure for preventing the backing out of the K-wire and postoperative complications, such as range of motion restriction, for treating olecranon fractures that are treatable by TBW.

Therapeutic IV.