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Review
. 2021 Jul-Aug;29(4):219-222.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220212904238960.

INTERPOSITION-ARTHROPLASTY OF THE ELBOW: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Thiago Bernardo Carvalho DE Almeida  1 , Edmilson DA Silva Reis  1 , Luciano Pascarelli  1 , Roberto Rangel Bongiovanni  1 , Renato Loureiro Teodoro  1
Affiliations
Review

INTERPOSITION-ARTHROPLASTY OF THE ELBOW: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Thiago Bernardo Carvalho DE Almeida et al. Acta Ortop Bras. 2021 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the main methods and indications of interposition arthroplasty in the rigid elbow.

Methods: The research was carried out by three independent researchers, in the databases PubMed, Medline and Embase, according to the descriptors selected as a research strategy and filters selected in the inclusion criteria.

Results: In total, 21 studies were found with the afore mentioned descriptors and which were considered adequate according to the design and relevance according to the type of study and inclusion filters. There was a very strong correlation between the searches of the three researchers (k = 0.809). At the end, 14 complete studies were presented, all of which were included.

Conclusion: The main finding of this study was to note that there is an evident lack of research with a high level of real effectiveness and indication for interposition arthroplasty in the rigid elbow. Most studies point to positive results when the patient is young and a total arthroplasty is not indicated. No meta-analysis or randomized clinical trial was found for this specific topic, despite being a technique applied in clinical practice for some decades and showing good results. Level of Evidence V, Systematic Review.

Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão sistemática dos principais métodos e indicações da artroplastia de interposição em cotovelo rígido.

Métodos: Pesquisa realizada por três pesquisadores independentes nas bases de dados PubMed, Medline e Embase, segundo os descritores selecionados como estratégia de busca e filtros estabelecidos nos critérios de inclusão.

Resultados: Foram encontrados 21 estudos com os descritores selecionados, que foram avaliados conforme seu desenho e relevância segundo os filtros do tipo de estudo e critérios de inclusão. Houve correlação muito forte entre as buscas dos três pesquisadores (k = 0,809). Ao final, restaram 14 estudos completos, e todos foram incluídos.

Conclusão: Observou-se que existe uma carência evidente de pesquisas com nível de confiabilidade alto para a real eficácia e indicação da artroplastia de interposição no cotovelo rígido. A maioria dos trabalhos aponta para resultados positivos quando o paciente é jovem e a artroplastia total não é indicada. Não foi encontrada nenhuma metanálise ou ensaio clínico randomizado para esse tema específico, apesar de ser uma técnica aplicada na prática clínica há algumas décadas e que apresenta bons resultados. Nível de Evidência V, Revisão Sistemática.

Keywords: Arthroplasty; Elbow; Treatment Outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Number of articles according to study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Percentage of articles reporting positive and negative results with the interposition arthroplasty technique.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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