OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of postoperative results of repair of distal biceps brachii ruptures through a two anterior mini-incisions. METHODS: Nine patients with clinical and imaging (MRI) diagnosis of total lesion of the biceps brachii at its insertion were operated with a surgical technique with two mini-incisions between 2008 and 2011. The patients were evaluated after three months of evolution and all of them recovered the fully flexion-extension arch. RESULTS: Two patients (22.2%) presented a limitation of 20 degrees of supination. One patient (11.1%) had radial nerve palsy, but was totally recovered after five months. In one patient (11.1%) the muscle remained retracted, but the insertion was recovered. In three patients (33.3%) adhesion was observed on the proximal scar. There was no clinical or radiographic evidence of radioulnar synostosis after six months of evolution. All patients reported satisfaction with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the presented method shows good results as well as other techniques, with less risk of adhesion on the flexor fold of the elbow. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.
Objective: To perform a systematic review of the main methods and indications of interposition arthroplasty in the rigid elbow. Methods: The research was carried out by three independent researchers, in the databases PubMed, Medline and Embase, according to the descriptors selected as a research strategy and filters selected in the inclusion criteria. Results: In total, 21 studies were found with the afore mentioned descriptors and which were considered adequate according to the design and relevance according to the type of study and inclusion filters. There was a very strong correlation between the searches of the three researchers (k = 0.809). At the end, 14 complete studies were presented, all of which were included. Conclusion: The main finding of this study was to note that there is an evident lack of research with a high level of real effectiveness and indication for interposition arthroplasty in the rigid elbow. Most studies point to positive results when the patient is young and a total arthroplasty is not indicated. No meta-analysis or randomized clinical trial was found for this specific topic, despite being a technique applied in clinical practice for some decades and showing good results. Level of Evidence V, Systematic Review.
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