J Korean Fract Soc.  2002 Jul;15(3):414-420. 10.12671/jksf.2002.15.3.414.

Adverse Effect of the Absorbable Rods in Treatment of the Radial Head & Neck Fractures

• Lee WI
• Chang JD
• Choi SJ
• Lee BK
• Seo YJ
• Lee CJ

• KMID: 1838000
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2002.15.3.414

Abstract

PURPOSE: We report complications occurred from 6 patients among 14 patients who received the operation for their radial head and neck fractures by using the absorbable rod made by poly-glycolic acid(PGA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyze the postoperative results of 14 patients who recieved fixation by absorbable rod for the radial head and neck fractures from March 1991 to March 2000. All of the fractures were are reducible and modified Mason 's type II.
RESULTS
After average 15 months follow up, flexion contracture was average 20 degrees and full flexion was average 130 degrees. Complications were occurred in 6 cases. Osteolysis was occurred in 3 cases and in 2 cases among theses 3 cases, radial head excision was performed. Synovitis was occured in other 3 cases and in one case joint fluid was drainaged from operation wound for 2 weeks and in other 2 cases, synovitis was progressed to arthritis.
CONCLUSION
The absorbable rod made of PGA in radial head and neck fracture have relatively high rate of adverse tissue responses. So surgeon should consider adverse tissue response of PGA. Development of more biocompatible absorbable and slow degrading material should be needed.

Keyword

Radius; Head and neck fracture; Absorbable rod; Complication

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Contracture
Follow-Up Studies
Head*
Humans
Joints
Neck*
Osteolysis
Radius
Synovitis
Wounds and Injuries