Treatment of Neglected Monteggia Fracture-Dislocation in Children

Abstract

Purpose: Our purpose is to evaluate the results of the operative treatment in neglected Monteggia fracture-dislocation in children. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 10 elbows in 10 patients who underwent surgery. All patients were classified as Bado type I, except one with type III. The mean duration of follow up was 2 years and 5 months. The mean age at the time of operation was 10 years and the mean time from injury to operation was 7 months. All 10 patients underwent open reduction of the radial head and reconstruction of annular ligament. Ulnar osteotomy was performed in 9 cases. Clinical assessment was done by Bruce et al.'s rating system. Results: All 10 patients gained a mean of of extension-flexion arc, however lost a mean of of pronation-supination arc. And there were three complications, including dislocation of radial head in two patients and breakage of transarticular K-wire in one patient. According to Bruce et al.'s rating system, there were 4 excellent, 1 good, 3 fair, and 2 poor results. Conclusion: We found that the effect of the operative treatment of neglected Monteggia fracturedislocation in children was limited in majority of the patients. Particularly, the loss of pronation-supination arc was noticed postoperatively in most patients.