title: [Strategies in the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children - proven and controversial].
abstract: Elbow fractures are the 2nd most frequent fractures in children. Their therapy needs high expertise. Particularly an adequate analgesic therapy as well as an efficient and differentiated non-surgical or surgical therapy depending on the fracture type needs to be chosen. Secondary damage, especially growth disturbances, has to be prevented. Type I fractures can be managed conservatively with a cast. The crossed percutaneous pin fixation after open or closed reduction is the typical and most frequent surgical treatment option in supracondylar humeral fractures in children. Another good treatment option for supracondylar fractures type II to IV after closed reduction is the elastic-stable intramedullar nailing (ESIN). It is a minimally invasive treatment away from the fracture zone, which allows immediate free movement of the extremity. An immobilisation in a cast is therefore not necessary. That are the most possible effects (opinion of the authors) of the ESIN method, but discussed controversial in the literature. Especially neurovascular concomitant injuries require a differentiated treatment strategy to prevent long-term damage and should only be carried out in a specialised paediatric surgery unit. Long-term complications of supracondylar fractures are limitations in range of motion, nerval palsies, disturbances of growth, as well as cubitus varus (30 %) and valgus (3-7 %). These last ones often result from an insufficient initial anatomic reduction. The aim of the therapy should in any case be a patient-orientated treatment with the expected quickest recovery time and lowest long-term complications. Therefore supracondylar fractures should be treated only by a specialised paediatric trauma team, which can provide all non-surgical and surgical treatments. The spontaneous correcture is only seen in the sagittal view in young children between 6-7 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Kinderchirurgische Klinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehner
authors.affiliation: Kinderchirurgische Klinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: Kinderchirurgische Klinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H-G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Dietz
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000092464:Elbow Injuries