[Operative long-term results in delayed radius head dislocation in childhood].

Only some cases and no long term follow-ups are reported in literature concerning the problem of delayed luxations of the radial head in children. 21 cases (19 acquired and 2 inherited) were treated in our hospital by operative procedure 12.5 months after the accident on the average. Disregarding one early and one late resection of the radial head we reconstructed the joint reposition and annular ligament plasty and if necessary correction osteotomy of the ulnar or shortening of the radius. Follow-up examination took place between 2 and 16 years after the operation, 7.9 years on the average. A reluxation was observed in 2 cases, a subluxation in 1 case. 2 patients showed a wrong axis and 4 patients signs of a beginning radio-humeral arthrosis, but most results were good or satisfactory. Therefore a reconstruction of a luxation of the radial head in children is recommended in delayed cases (sometimes in combination with a correction osteotomy of the ulna or radius) in contrast to other authors.