Treatment and Complications of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children

Pyo, Young Bae; Ha, Sang Ho; Lee, Byoung Ho; Cho, Gyoo Bum

Abstract

In dealing with lateral humeral condylar injuries, the chance of having a poor functional result with inappropriate management is much greater. Therefore, careful attention in treatment is required in order to reduce additional damage caused by excessive manipulation and firm internal fixation with accurate anatomical reduction is recommended for the prevention of complications even if displacement is not severe. The authors analyzed 29 fractures of the lateral condyle of humerus in children who were treated from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 1994. The results were as follows ; 1. All of fractures were Milch type II and Jakobs stage II was most common in 14 cases(48.3%). 2. They were treated with cast immobilization in 5 cases(17.2%), with percutaneous K-wires pinning in 5 cases(17.2%) and with open reduction and internal fixation in 19 cases(65.5%). 3. The complications were 12 cases of bony spur, 8 cases of bony overgrowth. 2 cases of premature epiphyseal fusion, 1 case of cubitus valgus with extension limitation, 1 case of pin site infection. 4. According to the criteria of Hardacre, we obtained excellent result in 10 cases(34.5%), good result in 17 cases(58.6%) and poor result in 2 case(6.9%).