title: Open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of fractures of the lateral humeral condyle with an early delayed presentation in children: a radiological and clinical prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of late presenting fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on the outcome for 16 children who presented with a fracture of the lateral humeral epicondyle at a mean of 7.4 weeks (3 to 15.6) after injury and were treated surgically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up was four years (1.1 to 8.9), at which time the mean age of the patients was 8.7 years (3.2 to 17.8). The mean Dhillon functional score improved from 3.3 to 5.6 and the mean overall scores improved from 5.6 to 8.5. A total of seven patients had a fishtail deformity and eight had partial lateral epiphyseal closure. None had avascular necrosis. MRI showed an abnormal cartilage signal, incongruence of the joint surface and partial premature closure of the lateral physis in four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither age at the time of injury, the time interval between injury and operation, nor the pre-operative function were correlated with the incidence of complications. These results support the use of internal fixation for children with a lateral humeral epicondylar fracture with a delayed presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open reduction and internal fixation yielded a satisfactory outcome within 16 weeks in children with a lateral humeral epicondylar fracture with a delayed presentation.
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: T J
authors: TJ
authors: Liu
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: E B
authors: EB
authors: Wang
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: Q
authors: Q
authors: Dai
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: Q W
authors: QW
authors: Li
authors: Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
authors: Q
authors: Q
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Lateral condylar fracture; delayed; humerus; open reduction