Comparison of short-term effects of arthroscopic and open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screws in treatment of radial head fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the short-term clinical effect of arthroscopic and open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screws in treatment of Mason type II radial head fractures.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 38 patients with unilateral radial head fractures (Mason type II) admitted to Shanghai Zhongye Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018, including 22 males and 16 females, aged from 20 to 65 years [(37.4±12.6)years]. Twenty patients were treated by arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screw (Group A), and eighteen by open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screw (Group B). The operation time and fracture healing time were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS), elbow flexion and extension range, forearm rotation range and Mayo elbow function score were compared between the two groups before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation. The results of Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and upper limb function assessment using the disabilites of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score were compared between the two groups. Complications including screw breakage or fracture displacement were also evaluated.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-14 months [(12.3±2.3)months]. There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05). The fracture healing time was (8.9±0.6)weeks in Group A and (8.7±0.6)weeks in Group B ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The VAS was (4.8±0.5)points at 1 month after operation in Group A, lower than (6.0±0.7)points in Group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS between Group A and Group B at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in elbow flexion and extension range between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The elbow flexion and extension range in Group A was (110.4±3.8)° and (137.1±4.0)° at 1, 3 months after operation, which was significant greater than (90.6±4.7)° and (125.1±3.5)° in Group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in elbow flexion and extension range between the two groups at 6 and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the range of forearm rotation between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The range of forearm rotation in Group A was (107.1±2.8)° and (138.1±2.9)° at 1, 3 months after operation, significantly greater than (95.5±3.9)°, (121.5±3.0)° in Group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in forearm rotation range between the two groups at 6 and 12 months after surgery ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in MEPS between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The MEPS in Group A was (50.4±3.8)points at 1 month after operation, higher than (40.6±4.7)points in Group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in MEPS between the two groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in DASH score between the two groups before operation ( P>0.05). The DASH score was (57.1±2.8)points at 1 month after surgery in Group A, higher than (42.5±3.9)points in Group B ( P<0.05). The DASH score was not significantly different between the two groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05). There was no screw loosening or fracture after operation, and one patient in each group had fracture displacement ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For Mason type II radial head fractures, arthroscopic Herbert screw fixation has the advantages of less trauma, less pain and faster functional recovery of the affected limb compared with open reduction and Herbert screw fixation.