Complex open elbow fracture-dislocation with severe proximal ulna bone loss: a case report of massive osteochondral allograft surgical treatment

• Published in: Clinics in shoulder and elbow Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 183 - 188
• Main Authors: Concina, Chiara, Crucil, Marina, Theodorakis, Emmanouil, Saggin, Giorgio, Perin, Silvia, Gherlinzoni, Franco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Fracture dislocation; Allografts; Monteggia's fracture; Elbow
• ISSN: 2383-8337; 2288-8721

We report a case of a 69-year-old right-dominant man who had an open Monteggia-like lesion of the right elbow (Gustilo-Andersen IIIA) with severe proximal ulna bone loss associated with an ipsilateral ulnar shaft fracture due to a motorcycle accident. The patient underwent two-stage surgery. Wound debridement and bridging external fixation were performed at first. Three months later, a frozen massive osteochondral ulnar allograft was implanted and fixed with a locking compression plate. A superficial wound infection appeared 5 weeks after the second surgery. Superficial wound debridement, negative pressure therapy, and antibiotics were administered for 3 months, achieving infection healing. At 3 years post-surgery, the elbow range of motion was satisfactory with a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score of 16.7. Radiographs and computed tomography scans showed good allograft-bone integration without allograft reabsorption or hardware loosening. Although not complication-free, massive ulna osteochondral allograft implantation can be considered a valid option in cases of open Monteggia-like lesions associated with ulnar shaft fracture and severe bone loss in active patients, whenever osteosynthesis or joint replacement is not a proper solution. This type of bone stock restoration allows for future surgery, if needed.