Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus (Type III) in Children: A Prospective Study of Percutaneous Pin Fixation
C Yildirim TURK, Ali BAKTIR, Mahmut ARGUN, Vedat SAHIN, Eyup S KARAKAS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Erciyes University Medical School Kayseri, Turkey
Keywords: Children, Percutaneous Pin Fixation, Supracondylar Fractures, Humerus.
Abstract
During the period between 1990-1992, 46 children were admitted to our clinic with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus (Type III). They were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous crossed pin fixation and followed-up prospectively. The follow-up duration averaged 32 months (range 24-44 months). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed on the 34 patients who returned for final controls. The patients were evaluated by Flynn's criteria. The Bauman's angles were measured twice, after surgery and at the final control. By Flynn's criteria, 31 of the 34 patients (91.2 percent) had clinically satisfactory results. In conclusion, we believe that the method of closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation is a safe and efficient treatment method in displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.