Floating elbow in a polytrauma patient: timing and surgical strategy.

A 22-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of polytrauma following a car accident. The instrumental investigations detected parenchymatous and bone lesions, including a floating elbow (articular distal humerus fracture associated with ipsilateral forearm fracture). After initial temporary stabilization with external fixator and restoration of hemodynamics, we proceeded to the fixation of the upper limb. To reduce local and general risks of complications, a two-stage reconstruction technique has been applied.