Arthroscopically assisted treatment of elbow fractures

Background. Arthroscopically assisted techniques in treatment of elbow fractures are rarely carried out and require a certain level of expertise of the surgeon regarding the technique of elbow arthroscopy and the elbow joint. In the acute trauma situation elbow arthroscopy is mostly used to remove loose bodies, to irrigate intra-articular hemorrhage and to evaluate ligamentous instability and is therefore used as a diagnostic tool or minimally invasive resection technique. This article describes the therapeutic reconstructive capabilities of elbow arthroscopy in the acute trauma situation, including arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment of radius head fractures, coronoid fractures, avulsion fractures of the anterolateral coronoid, some capitellum fractures, some fractures of the distal humerus and the proximal olecranon. Objectives. What is the current state of the art in arthroscopically assisted techniques for the treatment of elbow fractures? Are these standard procedures or are they comparable to open procedures? Methods. Based on a literature review regarding studies of arthroscopically assisted techniques for treatment of elbow fractures, data from the available literature are presented and discussed as well as the results of own experiences and techniques. Conclusions. Arthroscopically assisted techniques for treatment of elbow fractures decrease soft tissue damage as a direct benefit for the patient. Due to limited data available no general recommendations for this procedure can be made.