BackgroundRadial head fractures are the most common type of elbow fracture and can severely affect the function of the elbow. There is uncertainty and controversy about when surgery is indicated as well as what type of surgical intervention is best.
ObjectivesTo assess the effects of surgical interventions for treating radial head fractures in adults. We aimed to compare surgical versus nonsurgical treatment, and different methods of surgical intervention.
Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (May 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library; 2012 Issue 4), MEDLINE (1946 to May 2012, EMBASE (1980 to 2012 and trial registers (November 2011). No language restrictions were applied.
Selection criteriaAll randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating surgical interventions for treating radial head fractures.
Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Where appropriate, results were pooled.
Main resultsWe included three randomised controlled trials, involving a total of 251 participants. All three trials were at high risk of performance bias reflecting the fact that surgeons could not be blinded. One trial was at low risk of selection bias but was undermined by a high attrition bias, in part resulting from post-randomisation exclusions. There were incomplete details of methodology for the other two trials, which usually resulted in unclear risk of bias judgements. 1 Surgical interventions for treating radial head fractures in adults (Review)