Abstract
Background
The treatment of olecranon fractures frequently involves the use of tension band fixation. Although associated with high union rates, this method has a high incidence of morbidity associated with soft tissue compromise and limitation of range of movement requiring frequent re-operation for removal of metal.
Objectives
We describe the use of a simple jig to ensure intramedullary placement of longitudinal K-wires and compare the accuracy of placement of wires using this device with the traditional free hand method.
Methods & Materials
10 orthopaedic surgical trainees passed 2 longitudinal k wires into synthetic ulnae. This was done using the free hand method and then plastic jig. The ulnae were then sectioned to identify the position of the wires relative to the intramedullary canal
Results
Of the free hand wires, only 11 of 20 were found to be intramedullary versus 20 of 20 in the group passed using the jig. (p<0.001). The mean distance from the center of the ulnar canal was 6.5 mm in the freehand group (range 1-18mm, SD 6.1mm) and 1.6 mm in the O-Jig group (range 1-2mm, SD 0.5mm). The difference in the mean distance from the centre was 4.9mm which was significant (p< 0.001)
Conclusions
We found the distance from the centre of the medullary canal, the range and standard deviations of wire positions to be significantly more precise when the jig was used.
