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Olecranon Fractures
Updated: Oct 9 2017

Olecranon Fracture ORIF with Plate Fixation

Preoperative Patient Care
Operative Techniques
E

Preoperative Plan

1

Template fracture

  • identify fracture pattern, displacement, comminution, and presence of dislocation
  • true lateral radiograph needed to determine fracture pattern
  • simple transverse fractures can be treated with tension band construct
  • oblique and comminuted fractures require plate and screw systems for fixation, may require CT scan pre-op

2

Execute surgical walkthrough

  • describe key steps of the operation verbally to attending prior to beginning of case.
  • description of potential complications and steps to avoid them
F

Room Preparation

1

Surgical instrumentation

  • precontoured plate system
  • small fragment set

2

Room setup and equipment

  • turn table 90°
  • c-arm perpendicular to OR table

3

Patient positioning

  • supine
  • shoulder at edge of bed, no arm board, arm draped over chest at 90° on top of large bump (chest to chin)
  • lateral
  • beanbag to support patient
  • arm over radiolucent foam or blankets, on radiolucent hand table
  • place tourniquet
G

Posterior Approach to the Elbow

1

Identify anatomy

  • exsanguinate limb and inflate tourniquet if using tourniquet
  • identify ulnar nerve, tip of olecranon, ulna shaft, medial and lateral sides of elbow for orientation

2

Expose the elbow

  • use scalpel dissection along subcutaneous border of ulna, centered about fracture site
  • incision is along proximal ulna shaft, slightly wraps lateral to tip of olecranon, then extending proximally in line with the humeral shaft
  • avoid midline incision over olecranon tip due to skin irritation
  • extend proximally, curving laterally around tip of olecranon
  • pay attention to hemostasis with electrocautery
  • create full thickness flaps to minimize dead space/hematoma
  • place self retaining retractors proximally and distally
H

Fracture Reduction and Preparation

1

Clear the fracture site

  • remove hematoma and interposed soft tissue from the fracture site(s)
  • elevate 2-3mm of periosteum from fracture edges to ensure visualization

2

Reduce the transverse fracture

  • drill unicortical hole with1.6mm k-wire 2-3 cm distal to fracture
  • place one tine of point reduction clamp in drill hole so it doesn't slip, then place other tine on proximal fragment
  • reduce fracture as elbow is brought into extension
  • tighten and lock down clamps once reduced
  • add additional clamp(s) or K-wires as needed
  • do not block k-wire entry points or plate placement
I

Plate and Screw Fixation

1

Check plate placement

  • check size, length, and rotation of plate on dorsal (tension) side of proximal ulna
  • oblique fractures can be initially secured with 2.4, 2.7, or 3.5mm lag screw(s)

2

Split the triceps at the tip of the olecranon

  • this allows full seating of the plate on the ulna

3

Temporarily fix plate

  • use K-wires or whirly-bird into plate to temporarily fix plate to bone

4

Permanent fixation

  • place non-locking screw first in ulna shaft to bring plate down to bone
  • insert locking and/or non-locking screws into proximal fragment through plate
  • need to place at least 2-3 screws into each fracture fragment, depending on amount of comminution
  • can place screw from proximal plate across fracture, into distal fragment ("home run screw")
  • may advance distal triceps tendon over plate to reduce hardware prominence

5

Obtain final biplanar and oblique radiographs

J

Wound Closure

1

Irrigation, hemostasis, and drain

  • irrigate wounds thoroughly and deflate tourniquet (if elevated)
  • coagulate any bleeders carefully

2

Deep Closure

  • use 0-vicryl for deep closure

3

Superficial Closure

  • use 3-0 vicryl for subcutaneous closure
  • close skin with 3-0 nylon

4

Dressing and immediate immobilization

  • soft dressing (gauze, webril)
  • long arm posterior splint optional
  • splint at 70-80° flexion for immobilization
  • sling for comfort
  • can consider post-op indomethacin to reduce heterotopic ossification
Postoperative Patient Care
Private Note