Influence of Surgery Timing on the Function Recovery of the Terrible Triad Injury of Elbow

Abstract：Objective To investigate the affection of surgical timing on the functional rehabilitation of terrible triad injury of elbow. Methods In 2009-2010,45 patients in our hospital were divided into emergency surgery group 12 cases(within 24 hours after injury),early surgery group 17 cases(5 ~ 14 days after injury),delayed surgery group 16 cases(injury after 17~ 26 days)according the operation time. All the patients were treated by Pugh-McKee standard technique,and evaluated by Mayo function score after 12 months follow up. Results 40 cases were followed up(early surgery group lost three cases,de-layed surgery group lost two cases)for 12 ~ 24 months/(mean 16. 9 months)In the emergency surgery group the mean elbow flexion arc was 118. 1°(76° ~ 145°). The average forearm rotation radians wsa 137. 5°(67° ~ 179°). Mayo score was 88. 3 points(63 to 100 points). In the early surgery group the average elbow flexion arc was 119. 7°(77° ~ 145°). The average fore-arm rotation radians was 136. 5°(67° ~ 178°). Mayo score was 89. 2 points(65 to 100 points). The delayed surgery group,the mean elbow flexion arc was 98. 5°(45° ~ 120°). The average forearm rotation radians was110. 2°(60° ~ 155°). Mayo score was 78. 3 points(57 to 93 minutes). Continuous observation found that the flexion and forearm rotation in emergency group was better than the other two groups on three months postoperation. But the result was similar bêtween emergency group and early group,and were better than delayed surgery group on six and twelve months postoperation. Conclusion Early or emer-gency surgical treatment for terrible triad injury of elbow are more effective than delayed surgery.