EXPERIENCES IN TREATING LAUGIER'S FRACTURES

Abstract

Laugier's fractures are rare because they are located deep in the elbow joint and are thus protected from any direct trauma. This study shows two patients whose Laugier's fractures were surgically treated. Surgical interventions were performed using the Campbell surgical approach. The ulnar nerve was mobilised for a distance of 12 cm, and then a tenotomy of the triceps brachii muscle and a posterior capsulectomy of the elbow joint were performed. A temporary repositioning followed by a permanent fixation were undertaken using two 3.2mm screws. The screws were inserted from the back, through the posterolateral and posteromedial pillars of the humeral condyle, to the front and medially. The tip of the screw was kept subchondrally in the bone of the humeral capitellum or trochlea and did not go through the cartilage. The stitches of the wound were done by layers, and prior to that a transposition of the ulnar nerve was performed medially. A plaster cast was worn on the upper arm for three weeks, with mandatory prophylaxis of periarticular ossification by taking indomethacin, 25mg three times a day. Upon removing the plaster cast, the patients underwent outpatient physical therapy for two weeks followed by inpatient physical therapy with full weight-bearing. Laugier's fractures have been insufficiently described in the literature. Surgical treatment does not have an alternative, and timely diagnosis and surgical and physical therapy yield, according to the Mayo elbow performance index, good results. Acta Medica Medianae 2011;50(4):49-54.