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Suture Fixation Versus Tension Band Wiring of Simple Displaced Olecranon Fractures

Not Applicable
Conditions
Olecranon Fracture
Interventions
Procedure: Suture fixation
Registration Number
NCT04189185
Lead Sponsor
Aalborg University Hospital
Brief Summary

Simple displaced olecranon fractures are most often treated with tension band wiring. This is an effective treatment, but the risk of subsequent re-operation is high. The investigators propose open reduction and internal fixation with a strong suture, thus reducing the risk of re-operation significantly.

Detailed Description

Background Olecranon fractures are frequent with an incidence of 11.5 per 100.000 people per year. Olecranon fractures are classified according to the Mayo classification in three groups. Type 1A and B are treated conservatively, while comminute fractures of type Mayo 2B and 3B are treated with plate osteosynthesis.

The most common type is a simple two part fracture, Mayo type 2A, which represents 74% of all olecranon fractures. The typical treatment of Mayo type 2A fractures is osteosynthesis using k-wires and tension band wiring. This provides adequate fracture healing and good functional results. The use of plate osteosynthesis for Mayo type 2A fractures does not provide functional or health economic benefits compared with operation with tension band wiring.

Common for both techniques is a high risk of re-operation due to delayed healing of the surgical wound, and complications arising from the implanted material.

Recently, new techniques for Mayo type 2A fractures have been described, in which no metal is implanted. Osteosynthesis is achieved with strong sutures. These techniques have been shown to reduce the high risk of complications leading to re-operation without effecting the functional outcome or fracture healing rate.

Hypothesis The investigators hypothesize that suture fixation of Mayo type 2A fractures will decrease the risk of re-operation and provide equal functional outcome compared with tension band wiring.

Design Prospective, randomized multicenter study

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
88
Inclusion Criteria
  • Olecranon fracture, Mayo Type 2A
Exclusion Criteria
  • Bilateral upper extremity fracture
  • Open fracture
  • Neurovascular affection
  • Injury to ligament, dislocation or subluxation
  • Additional upper extremity fracture
  • Pathological fracture
  • Previous elbow issue
  • Fracture more than 14 days old
  • Substance abuse
  • medical contraindication for surgery
  • Previous fracture to the same elbow

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
K-wire tension band wiringSuture fixationThe patient is treated with 1.6 mm k-wires and 1 mm cerclage
Suture fixationSuture fixationThe fracture is reduced and fixed with 2.0 Orthocord suture.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Re-operation1 year

The rate of re-operation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Range of motion1 year

Range of motion in elbow

Rate of complications1 year

Rate of complications to the treatment: Infection, nerve damage, delayed wound healing.

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Score1 year

Patient reported outcome measure. Range from 0 (No disability) to 100 (most severe disability).

European Quality of life - 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire1 year

Patient reported outcome measure. Score from 1 (best) to 3 (worst) in 5 different categories.

Non-union6 months

Rate of non-union

Sick days1 year

Number of sick days/Return to work

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Aalborg Sygehus - Farsø

🇩🇰

Aalborg, Denmark

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