Bilateral congenital pseudarthrosis of the olecranon.

A case of bilateral congenital pseudarthrosis of the olecranon is reported in a 15-month-old boy. This abnormality was noted at birth because of a fixed flexion deformity of both elbows. The left side was operated on at the age of 16 months and the right side at 21 months. Surgical exploration showed a mobile pseudarthrosis with a 2-cm gap between the tip of the olecranon and the nucleus, each one covered with cartilage. This cartilage was excised, the triceps tendon was lengthened to allow the lowering of the nucleus, and both fragments were fixed with nylon threads. The elbow was kept extended for 30 days in a plaster cast. Fusion was obtained shortly. At the 2-year follow-up, the function was nearly normal as was the radiological appearance. This abnormality is very rarely reported in the literature, and we emphasize the necessity of an early operation.