Results of total elbow arthroplasty as a salvage procedure for failed elbow reconstructive operations.

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) was used as a salvage procedure following failed open reduction and internation fixation, failed triaxial arthroplasties, and septic and aseptic loosening of implant arthroplasty. A minimally constrained bicondylar implant with a block to disarticulation was substituted for the reconstruction of 20 revision TEAs. Custom-designed implant TEA was substituted in cases with substantial bony or soft tissue loss. Revision of the polyethylene-bearing component, coupled with the addition of a yolk-type locking mechanism, was implanted when only the bearing system of a well-fixed implant had failed. TEA can be performed successfully with satisfactory durability as a revision procedure. Revision of failed open reduction internal fixation or a failed bearing system was highly successful. Revision of previously infected elbows in a single-stage procedure was unsuccessful in two of three cases and has been abandoned in favor of a staged procedure. A revision of loose TEA was successful in only three of five cases. Further investigations are necessary to improve the function durability of TEA.