Clinical Study of Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children

Jeong, Woo Min; Park, Jae Gong; Choi, Jang Seok; Cho, Hyoun Oh; Lee, Young Goo

Abstract

The most common fracture about the elbow joint in chilren is a supracondylar fracture. The displaced fracture is difficult to manage due to the potential danger of Volkmann's ischemia, nerve injury, and malunion, During the period of 6 years from June, 1979 to June, 1985, 63 children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus were treated at Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje Medical College, and analyzed. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The average age was 7.1 years, ranged from 1 year to 14 years, and the male and female ratio was 2.5: l. 2. In type of fracture, extension type was 92% and flexion type was 8%. In displacement of fracture, Grade I was only 2 cases, Grade III and IV were 87.3%. Posteromedial displacement was 42.8% (27 cases). 3. At the time of admission, 15cases(23.8%) accompanied nerve injury, of these median nerve injury (9 cases) was most common. All the patient with nerve injury were completely recovered within 14 months after reduction. 4. Severe cubitus varus was 14.2%, and severe limitation of elbow motion was 1.6%. 5. Of 61 displaced fractures, 37 patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation. By Flynn's criteria, satisfactory results were obtained in 36 of the 37 patients(97.3%) treated with percutaneous pinning. 6. In the displaced fractures, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is a satisfactory method for obtaining and maintaining reduction while preserving vascular function, if acute flexion is necessary for stable reduction.