Table 4 Complication according to fixation method
Complication (n, %) | Orthogonal plate (n = 108, 100%) | Parallel plate (n = 28, 100%) | Single plate (n = 34, 100%) | Authors (n = 170) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nerve related | Pre-operative nerve symptom | 8 (7.4%) | 2 (7.1%) | 1 (2.9.%) | 11 | |
Ulnar nerve symptom: spontaneously recovered | 10 (9.3%) | 4 (14.3%) | 1 (2.9%) | 15 | ||
Ulnar nerve symptom: required operation | 10 (9.3%) | 0 | 1 (2.9%) | 11 | ||
Other nerve symptom | 3 (2.8%) | 1 (3.6%) | 0 | 4 | ||
Fixation and instrument related | Screw joint penetration | 0 | 1 (3.6%) | 0 | 1 | |
Reduction loss and implant loosening | 1 (0.9%) | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
Skin implant irritation | 3 (2.8%) | 2 (7.1%) | 3 (8.8%) | 8 | ||
Osteosynthesis related | Non-union of fracture | 1 (0.9%) | 2 (7.1%) | 4 (11.8%) | 7 | |
Mean union period (weeks) | 19.1 ± 11.4 | 14.2 ± 4.6 | 20.6 ± 14.0 | 18.6 ± 11.2 | ||
Non-union of Olecranon osteotomy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
Infection | Superficial infection | 2 (1.9%) | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
Deep infection | 1 (0.9%) | 1 (3.6%) | 2 (5.9%) | 4 | ||
Wound complications | 4 (3.7%) | 1 (3.6%) | 2 (5.9%) | 7 | ||
Others | Heterotrophic ossification | 26 (24.1%) | 3 (10.7%) | 8 (23.5%) | 37 | |
Elbow stiffness (cannot achieve 30° ~ 130° of arc) | 48 (44.4%) | 15 (53.6%) | 16 (47.1%) | 79 | ||
Osteoarthritis (Broberg and Morrey Gr II or III) | 28 (25.9%) | 4 (14.3%) | 9 (26.5%) | 41 | ||
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | 1 (0.9%) | 0 | 1 (2.9%) | 2 | ||
Functional outcome | ||||||
Range of motion | Extension–flexion arc (°) | 8° ~ 125° | 15° ~ 112° | 10° ~ 127° | 9.5° ~ 124° | |
DASH score | 16.5 ± 15.6 | 15.1 ± 16.2 | 6.5 ± 10.1 | 14.4 ± 15.2 | ||