[Reconstructive plastic surgery of the humeral condyles following removal of endoprostheses of the elbow versus arthrodesis].

The condyles of the elbow are of utmost importance for the stability of this joint. This is particularly evident in cases where elbow prostheses had to be removed because of loosening or infection and where the condyles had been deliberately resected at the primary operation. In order to obtain a functional elbow with sufficient stability and mobility after removal of the prostheses, we can reconstruct the condyles by means of a large autologous bone graft, which we take from the midpart of the illiac bone. The fixation is done with a specially adapted plate rather than with screws. A few case examples with a longer follow-up are presented for whom the result was very gratifying. We also insist on the great importance of solid fixation of fractured condyles, particularly in cases of resection arthroplasty. Elbow arthrodeses should only be used where there is no chance of obtaining a sufficiently satisfactory result by means of an arthroplasty. In these rare cases, we have been using internal fixation with an adapted AO plate and the interposition of an autologous bone graft. In the future replantation of prostheses, possibly on neocondyles will become more important.