To evaluate the clinical results of double tension band wiring for communited olecranon fractures involving proximal 1/3.

We reviewed 9 cases of communited olecranon fractures involving proximal 1/3 treated with double tension band wiring followed for minimum 10 months. There were 2 cases of olecranon fractures involving only proximal 1/3, 6 cases of olecranon fractures involving from proximal 1/3 to middle 1/3 and 1 case of olecranon fractures involving from proximal 1/3 to distal 1/3. We analyzed the bone union time, radiologic results for gap, reduction loss, pin migration, pain, range of motion, complications and functional outcomes at last follow up.

All patients had solid bone union without additional surgery and average union time was 10.3 weeks. Anatomical reduction could be obtained in 8 of 9 cases but there was 1 mm step off in one case. 36 pins were used to fix the fractures, 1 pin of 18 distal pins and 2 pins of 18 proximal pins were migrated to backward but there was no reduction loss. Only 1 distal pin needed early removal due to skin irritation. Average range of motion ranged from flexion contracture 3.3° to further flexion 137.8°. On functional analysis, we got 8 cases of good result, 1 case of fair result and there was no poor result.

Double tension band wiring for comminuted olecranon fracture involving proximal 1/3 was concluded to give a firm fixation of the fracture site as bone union could be acquired without serious pin problems.