Floating elbow in children, orthopaedic or surgical treatment? About 21 cases at the Charles De Gaulle pediatric university hospital of Ouagadougou.

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Résumé

Introduction: Floating elbow is a rare and often serious injury. It combines a fracture of the
humerus with a fracture of one or both bones of the homolateral forearm. The authors report
on their experience and the results of the management of floating elbow in their department.
Methodology: They conducted a retrospective study over a period of 6 years and 4 months.
All patients admitted with a floating elbow were included.
Results: A total of 21 cases of floating elbow were identified, representing an annual
frequency of 3.3 cases. The sex ratio was 4.25. The mean age was 8.66 years. Road traffic
accidents were the main cause (10 cases/21) followed by falls from height (09 cases/21).
Orthopaedic treatment of all fracture sites was performed in 06 cases/21. Surgical treatment
of the humerus associated with orthopaedic treatment of the fracture of one or both bones
of the forearm was also performed in 06/21 patients. Surgical treatment of all sites was
performed in 09/21 cases. After an average follow-up of 22 months, eighteen (18) patients
had an excellent functional result, one patient had a good result, one (1) patient had an
average result and one (1) patient had a poor result according to the MEPS criteria.
Conclusion: Various treatment options are available for children. Orthopaedic treatment
is still appropriate but requires rigorous monitoring. Surgical treatment of part or all of the
fracture sites remains the principle.

Mots-clés

floating-elbow; child; treatment