title: SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE OF THE HUMERUS IN CHILDREN: FIXATION WITH TWO CROSSED KIRSCHNER WIRES.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and present the surgical results from unstable supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children, treated by means of reduction and percutaneous fixation using two crossed Kirschner wires.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 children, taking into consideration sex, age at the time of the fracture, age at the time of the assessment, side affected, type and mechanism of trauma, postoperative complications and radiographic and clinic variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten fractures were observed in the left arm and ten in the right arm. The age at the time of the fracture ranged from 2 to 13 years (mean: 5.9 ± 2.48 years). Three fractures were classified as type II and 17 as type III. The length of follow-up ranged from four months to three years. Baumann's angle ranged from 69 to 100 (mean: 78.3) and cubitus varus was observed in four patients (values ranging from 84 to 100). According to the modified Flynn's criteria, 20 cases presented satisfactory outcomes: 17 excellent (85%), two good (10%) and one regular (5%). Two patients presented limited range of motion, two had paresthesia in the cubital region and one had transient neuropraxia of the ulnar nerve for six weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous fixation with two crossed Kirschner wires leads to good results when carried out under direct viewing and with isolation of the ulnar nerve.
authors.affiliation: Physician; Head, Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Hospital Universitário de Taubaté - Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roni Azevedo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Physician; Master's degree; Doctor's degree; Head, Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic, Hospital Universitário de Taubaté - Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nelson Franco
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Physician; Resident in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital Universitário de Taubaté - Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Batalha Castello
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Physician; Resident in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital Universitário de Taubaté - Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giulyano Dias
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Physician; Resident in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital Universitário de Taubaté - Taubaté, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Pereira
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dias
keywords: Bone Wires; Child; Fracture Fixation; Humerus Fractures