AClinical study of the Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures in children

Kim, Hyung Seok; Hong, Ki Do; Ha, Sung Sik; Kim, Beom soo

Abstract

Fracture of the lateral humeral condyle is a relatively common injury in children. It is an itraarticular fracture involving the growth plate so, the treatment should be done very carefully to reduce aditional damage and complication. The authors analyzed 34 fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children who were treated from Mar. 1993 to Feb. 1998, to know the releationship between the factors affecting the development of complications and the results. The results were summerized as follows ; 1. There were 1 case (2.9 %) of Milch type I and 33 cases (97.1 %) of Milch ype II, and according to Jakob' stage, 9 case (26.5 %) of stage I, 19 cases (55.9 %) of stage II, and 6 cases (17.6 %) of stage III. 2. They were treated with cast immobilization in 5 cases (14.7 %), with closed rduction and percutaneous K-wire pinning in 8 cases (23.5%), and with open reduction and K-wire fixation in 21 cases (61.8%). 3. According to the criteria of Hardacre, the result of 5 cases of cast immobilization were excellent, 8 cases of closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire pinning were 3 excellent, 4 good, 1 poor, and 22 cases of open reduction and K-wire fixation were 19 excellent, 2 good, so there were 22 cases (64.7%) excellent, 11 cases (32.4%) good, and 1 case (2.9%)poor. 4. The complications were 11 cases (32.4%) of bony spur, 6 cases (17.6%) of overgrowth of the lateral condylar or capitellum, 1 case (2.9%) of premature epiphyseal fusion, and 2 cases (5.9%) of pinning site infection.