Pilot report: non-operative treatment of Mayo Type II olecranon fractures in any-age adult patient

Surgery for Olecranon Fractures in the Elderly (SOFIE): Results of the SOFIE Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The financial and resource burden of management of olecranon fractures in the elderly is likely to increase with an aging population. There is limited evidence guiding treatment choice in this cohort. This study aimed to determine whether operative treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in elderly patients provides superior 12-month functional outcomes compared to nonoperative treatment.

METHODS

A multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted across 24 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Patients aged ≥75 years presenting with an acute (within 14 days), displaced, closed, isolated olecranon fracture were included. Operative treatment involved reduction and stabilization using tension band wiring or plate fixation. Nonoperative treatment consisted of a sling for comfort and early movement as tolerated. The primary outcome was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the DASH score at 3 months and pain, quality of life, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), active elbow range of motion, and complication rate at 3 and 12 months. Data were analyzed based on an intention-to-treat principle, with sensitivity analyses using as-treated groups.

RESULTS

Sixty participants were randomized, 27 to the operative group (mean age and standard deviation [SD], 83 ± 5.8 years; 22 [81%] females) and 33 to the nonoperative group (mean age, 82 ± 4.5 years; 23 [70%] females), with no significant difference in baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference (mean difference, -6.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -14.9 to 1.8; p = 0.12) in the mean DASH scores at 12 months (the primary outcome) between the operative (12.3 ± 14) and nonoperative (18.9 ± 18) groups. Although active elbow extension was significantly superior in the operative group at 12 months, no other secondary outcome differed significantly between groups at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found no significant difference in DASH scores at 12 months between the operative and nonoperative groups. This supports nonoperative treatment as a reasonable option for displaced stable olecranon fractures in elderly patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Cost Assessment of Plating Versus Tension Band Wiring Constructs for Treating Mayo Type 2A Olecranon Fractures

PURPOSE

Tension band wiring (TBW) or plating may be used for fixation with similar clinical outcomes for adults with displaced Mayo 2A olecranon fractures. The primary hypothesis is that total direct costs (TDCs) for surgery are lower for TBW than plating. Our secondary hypothesis is that combined surgical TDCs are lower for TBW even with a 100% rate of subsequent tension band hardware removal and a 0% rate of plate removal.

METHODS

Patients who underwent TBW or plating of an isolated unilateral Mayo 2A olecranon fracture between July 2011 and January 2020 at a single academic medical center were identified. Then, TDC for each surgery on plate fixation, TBW, and hardware removal was obtained and converted to 2020 US dollars using information technology cost tools provided by our institution. Finally, relative TDCs were compared between plate fixation and TBW groups using univariate and multivariable generalized estimating equations with log-link.

RESULTS

Of the 97 included patients, the mean age was 50 ± 21 years, and 48% were female. Tension band wiring and plate fixation were performed on 18% (17/97) and 82% (80/97) of male and female patients, respectively. Demographics were similar between groups, although the finding that plate fixation cost 2.6 times that of TBW within the index surgery was significant in the multivariable model, independent of potential confounders (coefficient 2.55, 95% confidence interval: 2.09-3.10). Additionally, mean TDC remained significantly greater for plate fixation even under the hypothetical situation where 100% TBW were removed, and the plate removal rate was 0% (cost difference 181%).

CONCLUSIONS

Using TBW relative to plate fixation may improve the cost of care for operative Mayo 2A olecranon fractures. Furthermore, this finding was robust to the rate of hardware removal.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic and Decision Analyses III.

Outcomes of nonoperative management of displaced olecranon fractures in medically unwell patients

Background

Surgical treatment of displaced olecranon fractures in the elderly has a high rate of complications, including wound breakdown and fixation failure. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes of nonsurgical management of displaced olecranon fractures in low-demand elderly and medically unwell patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of 28 patients with displaced closed olecranon fractures was performed with an average follow-up of 11 months. The mean age at the time of injury was 79 ± 10 years. The average Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6.4 ± 2.6. Treatment modalities were at the discretion of the treating surgeon. A sling alone was used in 3 cases, an extension circumferential cast in 9, or a plaster or thermoplastic splint in 16. The mean period of immobilization was 5 ± 1 weeks. Outcomes included range of motion, ability to perform active overhead extension, as well as radiographic and functional outcomes.

Results

At final follow-up, the mean elbow range of motion for the cohort was from 28° ± 21° extension to 127° ± 15° flexion. Active overhead elbow extension against gravity was noted or documented in 24 (86%) patients. Two patients (7%) were unable to perform active extension. No pain was noted in 18 elbows, severe pain was present in 1 elbow, and the remainder reported mild occasional pain. All olecranon fractures in this cohort were displaced on the initial lateral radiograph. The mean displacement was 11 ± 7 mm. Nonunion at final radiographic outcome was observed in 23 (82%) elbows. Two (7%) patients developed skin complications related to posteriorly placed splints; one of which was severe.

Discussion

This study adds to the growing literature that supports nonoperative management of displaced olecranon fractures in elderly and medically unwell patients with low upper extremity demand. Patients can be counseled that they have a good chance of obtaining overhead extension, with minimal pain. Posteriorly based splints should not be used to minimize skin complications.

Plate fixation and tension band wiring after isolated olecranon fracture comparison of outcome and complications

Objective

Olecranon fractures are common injuries in patients of any age. The vast majority are treated with two operation techniques: a plate fixation (PF) or tension band wiring (TBW). The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of surgically treated olecranon fractures with plate fixation or tension band wiring. We hypothesise that PF patients would show significantly inferior outcomes due to more complex injuries.

Patients and methods

Between 2010 and 2017, a total of 108 patients were treated with plate fixation and or tension band wiring. Clinical data of 40 surgically treated olecranon fractures were collected and analysed. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed using Mayo-Score, DASH-Score, Weseley -Score and subject elbow value (SEV). Furthermore, complication rates, time to return to work and operation duration were documented.

Results

The mean follow-up was 70.5 ± 45.6 months. Time of return to work was 6.5 ± 2.2 weeks in the TBW group and 10.9 ± 6,6 in the PF group (p = 0.372). The mean duration of surgery was 95.2 ± 47.0 min in the TBW group and 192.5 ± 113.0 min in the PF group (p = 0.001). In the TBW group, the mean hospitalisation period was 7.9 ± 10.1 days and 11.2 ± 9.8 days in the PF group. Revisions were required in 0.3 ± 0.6 of cases (0.2 ± 0.5 in TBE and 0.4 ± 0.7 in PF). The median DASH Score was 7.0 (3.6-13.7) in the TBW group and 12.1 (5.5-24.8) in the PF group (p = 0.948).

Conclusion

Tension band wiring and plate fixation are both practical treatment options with mostly positive outcomes, even though high complication rates can occur. There were no significant differences in either group concerning functional outcome or time back to work. The duration of surgery was significantly higher in the PF group, whereas the incidence of metalwork-associated complications was higher in the TBW group.