Intraoperative 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures - a retrospective analysis of indications, intraoperative revision rates, and implications in 36 cases

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging with a mobile C-arm has proven to be a valuable intraoperative tool in trauma surgery [1‐5]. Since its first application at the start of the 21st century, intraoperative 3D imaging has become increasingly important in the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures [5]. Several cadaveric and clinical studies have verified that diagnostic accuracy, fracture reduction and implant position can be improved by using intraoperative 3D imaging in different anatomical regions [6‐8].

In complex anatomical conditions, where insight into the joint surface is not always possible or two-dimensional fluoroscopy may be unreliable due to overlapping structures, 3D imaging seems to be particularly helpful for the treatment of complex intra-articular fractures [5]. The main anatomical application areas for intraoperative 3D imaging are the calcaneus, spine, pelvis, tibial plateau, talus, ankle joint and wrist [5, 9‐14].

Even though the elbow is easily assessable to intraoperative 3D imaging, only one report with three patients is available in the literature [1]. Intra-articular fractures of the elbow are prone to revision surgery in the case of secondary dislocation, intra-articular position of screws or remaining gaps after primary surgical treatment. In the treatment of elbow fractures a satisfactory outcome relies on anatomical reconstruction of the joint surface and proper implant placement [15‐19]. Based on this background, intraoperative 3D imaging may be beneficial in the treatment of elbow fractures to improve outcome and prevent revision surgeries.

We therefore analyzed surgeries with treatment of elbow fractures where 3D imaging was used. The main aim of this study was to determine the intraoperative findings and consequences of 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures. Secondarily, injury patterns around the elbow that could benefit from intraoperative 3D imaging, complications and revision surgeries were determined.

Patient’s data with intraoperative 3D imaging of elbow fractures at a Level-I trauma center were analyzed in a retrospective chart review. All surgical procedures between September 2001 and June 2015 with intraoperative 3D imaging of the elbow (index operation) were evaluated.

A total of 36 patients received 3D imaging of the elbow comprising 15 women (41.7 %) and 21 men (58.3 %). Mean age was 40.1 ± 18.9 years. In 19 patients (52.8 %) the right elbow was involved and in 17 patients (47.2 %) the left one.

The aim of this study was to determine the intraoperative findings and consequences of 3D imaging in complex elbow surgery. Secondarily, complications and revision surgeries were reported as well.

In the present study intraoperative 3D imaging revealed pathological findings in 12 patients (33.3 %), which was not seen on conventional 2D fluoroscopy. In 6 patients (16.7 %) the intraoperative 3D scan led to an immediate revision due to the detection of intra-articular screw placement (n = 3, 8.3 %) or remaining intra-articular step of >2 mm (n = 3, 8.3 %). In all of these patients, a correct implant positioning and anatomical reconstruction could be achieved by immediate adjustment of implant placement and fracture reconstruction, which was then verified by repeated intraoperative 3D scan. The results of the current study support the notion that intraoperative 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures is particularly helpful, when the fracture reduction and the joint surface cannot be completely visualized in the open operation situs or by conventional 2D fluoroscopy.

The surgical revision rate in elbow surgery is quite high compared to other anatomical regions [15‐18], which is supported by the findings in this study. In 8 of 36 patients (22.2 %) the index operation was performed due to implant failure or secondary dislocation of a previous surgery. After the index operation, none of the 36 patients needed surgical revision based on postoperative radiological examinations for reasons of secondary dislocation, wrong implant positioning or remaining steps in the articular surface. So our study indicates that the use of intraoperative 3D imaging can prevent secondary revision surgery.

For distal humerus fractures (4 of 6 intraoperative revisions in this study) in particular, 3D imaging seems to be beneficial. Detailed analysis of patients with fracture localization at the distal humerus (n = 18, 50 %) showed that an olecranon osteotomy was not performed. The distribution of injury severity revealed that the distal humerus fractures in this study group were considerably complex according to the AO classification (14 type B, 4 type C). These findings might indicate, that the availability of an intraoperative 3D scan improves the possibility to treat intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus without an olecranon osteotomy. This could decrease the surgery time, the rate of complications related to the osteotomy, material costs, and the needs for implant removal [21, 22].

The relative number of patients who underwent an intraoperative 3D scan of the elbow is quite low. In other anatomical areas than the elbow application of intraoperative 3D imaging is much more frequent. In the treatment of ankle or calcaneal fracture we have learned that despite the fact, that the fracture appeared to be adequately reduced with correct implant placement on fluoroscopy, the intraoperative 3D scan often reveals findings, that need to be revised [11, 23]. These observations led to a higher application of intraoperative 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fracture in 2014 and 2015 compared to the period from 2001 to 2013.

Comparing our results with the literature is difficult due to a lack of published data concerning 3D imaging and elbow surgery. There is one report of three patients with intraoperative 3D imaging by Carelsen et al. However this lacks a detailed analysis [1].

In other anatomical regions, the application of intraoperative 3D imaging has proven to be valuable. In the literature immediate intraoperative revision rates of 11 to 40 % are reported following application of intraoperative 3D imaging in complex intra-articular fractures [2‐4, 11, 23‐25]. The intraoperative revision rates of the current study (16.7 %) fall within this range. For the upper extremities there are very few reports about the application of intraoperative 3D imaging in fracture surgery. Carelsen et al. recently published their experiences with the use of intraoperative 3D imaging for wrist surgery and found that none of the 56 patients treated with the aid of 3D fluoroscopy required revision surgery [9]. The intraoperative revision rate was 10.5 %. Mehling et al. in reported in 2013 about 51 patients treated for distal radius fractures with the aid of intraoperative 3D scan. The authors compared the findings on conventional 2D fluoroscopy with intraoperative 3D scan and found, that in 31.3 % of the operations there were 17 malpositioned screws not shown on standard 2D fluoroscopy that were detected using intraoperative CT imaging [26].

This is in agreement with our finding and supports the idea that intraoperative 3D imaging provides the trauma surgeon with extra information that is not available from conventional fluoroscopy leading to a decrease in the rate of revision surgery. At present, no data are available in the literature about indications, intraoperative revision rate, and implications of 3D imaging in the treatment of elbow fractures. Our study is the first report about a reasonably large series of patients receiving intraoperative 3D imaging of the elbow.

A potential drawback for the use of intraoperative 3D imaging might be the higher radiation dose and the processing time of the 3D scan. The specific radiation dose was not measured in the current study. A previous study on wrist surgery reported, that intraoperative 3D imaging raised the dose-area product by 3.2 cGycm² and increased the overall dose by 55.6 % on average [26]. The radiation exposure for the surgeons and the personnel staff, who are exposed to radiation almost every day, is practically reduced to zero because the 3D scan can be started from outside the controlled area (Fig. 1). Mehling et al. concluded in their study that the investment of about 3.2 cGycm² and an extension of operation time of about 5 minutes enables the surgeon to minimize the need for revision surgery together with multiple radiation doses. Application of intraoperative 3D imaging with a mobile C-arm takes about 60 s and the whole process, preparation for the 3D scan, application, processing and analysis of the images take approximately 5 min. A cost analysis of intraoperative 3D imaging by Hüfner et al. has demonstrated that an economic benefit can be achieved if the revision rate is decreased by just 5 % [27]. In the current study none of the patients required postoperative conventional computed tomography or revision surgery due to implant failure or secondary dislocation.

This study has several limitations. The selection of the study population was based on the surgeon’s opinion during operative treatment. There was no randomization or control group. Furthermore, clinical outcome was not assessed and so no information can be provided for functional and radiological outcome. Even though all cases were included in a prospective database, evaluation of the data was retrospective and a power analysis was not performed.

Intraoperative 3D imaging provides additional information for the treatment of elbow fractures that is not available from conventional methods such as physical examination and 2D fluoroscopy. Intraoperative 3D imaging seems to be particularly helpful when the fracture reduction and the joint surface cannot be completely visualized, e.g. in distal humerus fractures type B and C according to the AO classification. The availability of an intraoperative 3D scan might improve options to treat intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus without the need for olecranon osteotomy. That would decrease surgical time, complication rates and the need for implant removal.

Although 3D imaging has not evolved to become a routine procedure in the treatment of elbow fractures, it may reduce the need for revision surgery in complex intra-articular fractures. The value of intraoperative 3D imaging on functional outcomes still needs to be assessed.