Pediatric "floating elbow"--case reports
Kubasovský, J.; Kitka, M.; Cuha, R.; Morochovic, R.
Rozhledy V Chirurgii Mesicnik Ceskoslovenske Chirurgicke Spolecnosti 82(5): 254-257
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-9351 PMID: 12931353 Document Number: 563174
Floating elbow is an injury that is characterized by simultaneous fracture of humerus and forearm of the same extremity. The injury is caused by high energy (falls, car accidents) and is often associated with extensive soft tissue contusion of affected limb and there may be present lesion of neurocircular bundle. Operative treatment (minimally invasive percutaneous pinning) should be performed as soon as possible after patient's admission and this treatment should be preferred before circular casting, which may cause compartment syndrome. In the paper we present two cases of pediatric floating elbow treated at our clinic with different functional outcomes.