[Follow-up of Souter elbow prostheses]

27 patients (30 elbows) treated with Souter elbow prosthesis replacement were examined at a follow-up study. 26 patients had rheumatic arthritis. The mean observation time was five years (2-10 years). The indication for surgery was severe pain and reduced elbow function. Preoperative radiological examination revealed considerable pathological changes in all the elbows. Six of the elbows underwent revision with new prosthesis replacement. The indications for the re-operations were fractures, loosening of the prosthesis and luxations. 19 elbows (26%) had deteriorated and three patients had no definite opinion. Four of the six elbows replaced by a new prosthesis, became worse than before the first operation. Follow-up radiological examination showed that 80% of the humerus components showed varying degrees of radiological loosening and more than half of the humerus components showed cranial migration. All patients who suffered fractures during the operation have been, or will be, re-operated. Radiological loosening of the prosthesis makes the prognosis uncertain for the majority of the patients. Re-operation with a new prosthesis is unsatisfactory. As a consequence of the poor results, this prosthesis is no longer used at our hospital.