J Korean Fract Soc.  2007 Jan;20(1):58-63. 10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.1.58.

Treatment for the Supracondylar Fractures of the Distal Humerus with Cannulated Screw

• Park JS
• Chung YK
• Yoo JH
• Noh KC
• Chung KJ
• Lee DN

• KMID: 2294380
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.1.58

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the results of the treatment of the supracondylar fractures of the humerus according to the fixation methods with cannulated screw.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eight patients, aged 49 to 82 years (average, 65 years), were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 12~24 months). According to AO classification all fractures were classified as type A2 (simple transverse supracondylar fracture). All patients underwent closed reduction. Percutaneous fixation with cannulated screws was performed in 8 patients. Three of 8 patients had associated medical problems and one patient had distal radius fracture. The functional results were assessed by the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.
RESULTS
Mean operation time was 59 minutes (45~75) and all the patients with cannulated screw fixation had bony union and were able to early ROM exercise. Mean ranges of motion was 5~120 degrees with excellent functional results. Functional evaluation of elbow joint by Mayo method showed mean value of 88 (75~95).
CONCLUSION
The cannulated screw fixation of supracondylar fracture of humerus, especially in the elderly aged group with medical disease had excellent functional results (rigid fixation & early ROM exercise) due to shortening of surgery time and anesthesic time, combined with decreased technical difficulties of the surgical procedure

Keyword

Humerus; Supracondylar; Fracture; Cannulated screw

MeSH Terms

Aged
Classification
Elbow
Elbow Joint
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Humerus*
Methods
Radius Fractures

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Preliminary K-wires are inserted from the lowest point of each condyle across the fracture site thereby purchasing bone masses as much as possible. (B) K-wires should be parallel to each other and the portion of the K-wires in the distal fragment should be located in the circular part (black dotted line) of the tear drop in lateral radiograph of the elbow in order not to encroach either into the trochlear fossa or olecranon fossa.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) A 80 year old woman sustained a A2 type fracture of left distal humerus. (B) Closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with full threaded cannulated screws was performed. (C) Sixteen months postoperatively, stable bony union with nearly full range of motion was possible.

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