Olacranon fracture; Treated with tension bend wire by passing two parallel kirschner wires distally into the anterior cortex of ulna

Objective: to evaluate the results of two parallel k-wires of 2 millimeter size distally placed in the anterior cortex of ulna,together with the number of tightening loops on the cerclage wire. materials and methods: this descriptive study was performed in department of orthopedics and spine surgery,hayatabad medical complex peshawar from march 2008 to february 2012 on 38 consecutive patients of either sex with age above 20 years,having olecranon fracture. fracture osteosynthesis was achieved with the insertion of two parallel 2 millimeter (mm) kirschner wires from the tip of the olacranon to the ulnar anterior cortex and an 18 gauge wire in a figure of eight fashion. results: there were total 38 patients in the study. male patients were 22(57.9%) while female patients were 16(42.1%). minimum age was 20,maximum 80 and average age was 48.95 years. complications include delayed union in 1(2.6%),infection in 2(5.3%),pain at proximal end of k wires 3(7.9%),prominent wire in 3(7.9%),broken skin in 4(10.5%),proximal migration of k wires in 2(5.3%),superficial erythema in 1(2.6%) and ulnar nerve palsy in 3(7.9%) patients. conclusion: olacranon fractures heal well in most instances achieving recovery of normal function in more than 95% of patients. functional outcome is dependent on fracture severity,length of immobilization,and patient factors.