Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kirschner wire tension band (KWTB) and anatomical plate fixation are the most often used procedures for treating Mayo type II olecranon Fractures, each has its technological advantages. However, there are often some associated complications with single use, the combination of Kirschner-wire tension band reduction and locking plate fixation in treating Mayo type II olecranon fractures has been seldom recorded. This research aims to compare the efficacy of KWTB alone and KWTB combined with anatomical locking plate (ALP) in the treatment of Mayo type II olecranon fractures. METHODS: Clinical data from 72 individuals who had surgery for Mayo type II olecranon fractures between January 2020 and December 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were randomized to either KWTB (n = 37, 19 males and 18 females; range 36 to 75 years; mean age 49.12 ± 9.51 years) or KWTB + ALP (n = 35, 16 males and 19 females; range 37 to 75 years; mean age 50.07 ± 9.45 years). Data including operative duration, intraoperative bleeding, incision length, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and the time to return to work, fracture union time, and follow-up time were documented. Their Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Mayo elbow performance score and elbow range of motion (ROM) measures were utilized for functional assessments. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 28.03 ± 8.14 months, there were no statistical differences in general characteristics, intraoperative blood loss and length of incision between the two groups (P > 0. 05).The operative duration of KWTB + ALP group was greater than that of KWTB group (P < 0. 05). The average stay in the hospital was 8. 80 ± 2. 62 in the KWTB group and 6. 94 ± 3. 82 in the KWTB + ALP group (P = 0.0181). Patients come back to work in 9.6 ± 3.4 weeks in the KWTB group and 7.8 ± 2.7 weeks in the KWTB + ALP group (P = 0.0156). The rate of complications was considerably greater in the KWTB group (24.3% compared with 5.8%; P = 0.0283). The fracture union time was 15.36 ± 3.44 in the KWBT group and 12.28 ± 3.42 in the KWTB + ALP group (P = 0.003). The mean flexion-extension ROM values and pronation-supination ROM values showed no statistical difference between the two groups. The mean DASH score was 14.0 ± 2.8 in the KWTB group and 10.7 ± 3.2 in the KWTB + ALP group (P = 0.001). The average Mayo score was 84.0 ± 9.3 in the KWTB group and 88.3 ± 9.1 in the KWTB + ALP group (P = 0.0171). Mean Mayo score and mean DASH score were statistically different between the 02 groups. CONCLUSION: Both operative procedures effectively treat Mayo type II olecranon fractures. Despite the fact that KWTB therapy is inexpensive and simple to administer, there is a high risk of complications associated with it. KWTB combined with ALP in the management of Mayo type II olecranon fracture, especially type IIB olecranon fracture has satisfactory medium and long-term outcome.