A Percutaneous Cross Pinning Method for Supracondylar Fracture of the Humerus : The Significance of Elbow Position during Pinning to Avoid Ulnar Nerve Damage

Rha, Jong Deuk; Lee, Myung Ho; Park, Hyun Soo; Lee, Woo Cheon; Sa, Tong Hoon

Abstract

The percutaneous pinning is a simple, effective method for the treatment of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. But there is some controversy in the number of pins used and the method of pin insertion. The cross pinning method provides more stability at the fracture site but the risk of ulnar nerve damage is higher than in lateral pinning method, The senenty-one displaced extension type supracondylar fractures were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous cross pinning from January 1991 to October 1994. Among them, the medial pin was inserted in elbow extension in twenty-eight cases and in forty- three cases the medial pin was inserted in elbow flexion. Ulnar nerve injury occured postoperatively in six cases, in which the pin was inserted with the elbow in flexion position. These results may suggest that when percutaneous cross pinning method is selected to fix the supracondylar fracture of the humerus, it would be safer to insert one or two lateral pins with the elbow in full flexion position followed by one medial pin in extension position in order to reduce the risk of loss of reduction and ulnar nerve damage.