Elbow arthroscopy in children and adolescents

There has been an increasing trend in the use of elbow arthroscopy for treating elbow disorders in paediatric population despite its technical demands. The aim of this study was to investigate and report the percentage of elbow arthroscopies performed in children and adolescents compared to total number of patients having undergone elbow arthroscopy, as well as to explore difference in the indications between the two groups. Results of the surgical notes available and systematic research at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Centre, encompassing a 10-year period, yielded a total of 196 patients who underwent elbow arthroscopy. At the time of surgery, 35 patients were younger than 18 years. The electronic and physical medical records available were reviewed by a doctor not involved in patient care. The analysis showed that one-fifth of the operated patients were paediatric patients. In the paediatric group, the leading causes for the procedure were elbow synovial fold syndrome and osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow. The main indications for elbow arthroscopy in the adult group were posttraumatic elbow contracture and primary elbow osteoarthritis. All the procedures were performed without any complication, whereas one postoperative complication was noted. On the basis of the study results and confirmed by the published literature, elbow arthroscopy proved to be a reliable and effective method in treating various conditions and injuries of the paediatric elbow. Key words: ARTHROSCOPY; ELBOW; CHILDREN; ADOLESCENT

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