Prevention of ulnar nerve injury during fixation of supracondylar fractures in children by 'flexion-extension cross-pinning' technique.
No consensus exists concerning the best pin configuration for displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Although cross-pinning is the most stable biomechanically, this configuration may cause iatrogenic ulnar nerve palsy. For the last 7 years, we have been using a three-pin fixation technique with insertion of two K wires from the lateral side (elbow in full flexion) and the third wire through the medial side (elbow in full extension). We used this technique in 67 displaced supracondylar fractures without any complications related to the ulnar nerve. The technique provides excellent stability and eliminates the risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve palsy.
Eidelman
Mark
M
Pediatric Orthopedics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. markeid@yahoo.com
Hos
Nir
N
Katzman
Alexander
A
Bialik
Viktor
V
D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries*