Comparison of primary radial head replacement and ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) in Mason type III fractures: a retrospective evaluation in 72 elderly patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare radial head prosthesis replacement with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the surgical treatment of Mason type III radial head fractures in 72 elderly patients.

Material/methods: Seventy-two elderly patients (mean age, 67.1±1.25 years, range, 62-81 years) with Mason type III radial head fractures were treated from January 2001 to June 2012. Of these, 37 cases received radial prosthesis and 35 cases were treated with ORIF. All patients were followed up for 10 to 15.6 months.

Results: Based on the elbow functional evaluation criteria score by Broberg and Morrey, 29 cases achieved excellent results, 7 were good, and 1 was fair in the replacement group. In the ORIF group, excellent results were seen in 24 cases, good in 9, and fair in 2. The rates of good or excellent results were 78.4% and 68.6% for prosthesis replacement patients and ORIF patients, respectively (P<0.05). The Visual Analogue Scores (VAS) for replacement and ORIF groups were 2.25 and 1.67, respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusions: The radial head prosthesis replacement method is a relatively better surgical approach than ORIF in the treatment of elderly patients with Mason type III radial head fractures.