[Resection of the radius head in multiple and comminuted fractures. Clinical results and critical evaluation compared with the literature].

Between 1974 and 1989 39 patients with multi-fragmentary fractures of the head of the radius or radial neck fractures were treated by resection of the radial head at the Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery (UKE-University Hospital Hamburg). Follow-up of 22 patients after 0.5 to 15 years (average 7.8 years) by means of patient documents, actual condition, functionally re-examination of the upper limb and evaluation of the roentgenological changes revealed 22.8% good, 63.6% acceptable and 13.6% poor results according to a modified scoring system. Characteristic complications after excision of the radial head are the increase of the carrying angle of the elbow, the proximal migration of the radius and the loss of grip strength. Due to a critical review of the international literature prosthetic replacement by now does not lead to convincing better results. Reoperations may be mandatory to remove the implant because of tissue reactions or failure of the implant.