Minimally invasive surgical techniques for irreducible supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of severely displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children remains a challenge. We retrospectively assessed the outcomes of the minimally invasive open reduction techniques used in our institutions for the treatment of grade 3 supracondylar fractures in children which could not be reduced by closed manipulation.


METHODS
78 children (58 boys) with severely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus and severe swelling were treated with either a minimal incision in the anticubital fossa and manipulation of the distal fragment with the thumb, or a small stab incision and manipulation of the fracture fragment with a small-sized suction tip. The fractures were stabilized with 1.6-mm Kirschner wires.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome after a follow-up of at least 3 years was excellent in 76 cases and poor in 2 cases. No scar contractures or other complications were observed. These techniques seem safe and effective in the treatment of irreducible grade 3 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Seung-Woo
SW
Suh
Chang-Wug
CW
Oh
Viraj U
VU
Shingade
M Keny
MK
Swapnil
Byung-Chul
BC
Park
Seok-Hyun
SH
Lee
Hae-Ryong
HR
Song
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome