Mid-term functional outcome assessment of early surgical intervention in complex elbow fracture dislocation in adults

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to study mid-term functional outcome assessment of early surgical intervention in complex elbow fracture dislocation in adults.Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, trauma centre, Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, after getting clearance from the ethics committee. Patients with a complex elbow injury (instability or dislocation associated with fracture), age 18 years to 60 years, who were treated surgically between May 2016 and May 2021, who agreed to participate in the study and signed the free and informed consent with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.Results: 34 cases made up the study group. There were 23 male and 11 female patients, aged between 18 years and 60 years, who were followed up for an average of 38.56 months (range 6 months to 5 years) and were clinically and radiologically, retro prospectively, and prospectively evaluated. The dominant side was involved in 24 patients and the non-dominant in the other 10 patients. According to Mason's classification, 44.1% were type 3 followed by type 2 (32.4%) and type 1 (14.7%). According to Regan- Moore's classification, 23.5% were in type 1 and 3. Mean flexion-extension arc and mean supination-pronation arc in excised were 115.63 degrees and 101.25 degrees in radical group and mean flexion-extension arc and mean supination-pronation arc in excised were 132.75 degrees and 121.2 degrees in coronoid group. Mean flexion-extension arc and mean supination-pronation arc in 26-35 age group were 116.5 degrees and 97.5 degrees and mean flexion-extension arc and mean supination-pronation arc in dominant were 120.42 degrees and 107.92 degrees in coronoid group. There were no malunion, infection, ulnar neuropathy and neural deficit were observed. Mild pain was present in 47.1% cases.Conclusion: Although our number of patients and mean duration of follow-up are less than many other studies, we have achieved comparable results in view of both subjective and objective parameters of follow-up such as the mean arc of flexion-extension, supination-pronation, mean Q-DASH score, MEPI score.