Supracondylar Fracture of Humerus in Children - An experience of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning

Abstract

This is retrospective study of patients managed by author for supracondylar fracture of humerus in children in the year 1999-2000. There were a total of 28 patients in which closed reduction was attempted under general anaesthesia. Four cases in which satisfactory position could not be achieved were excluded from this study. Rest of 24 patients in which reduction was satisfactory, percutaneous pinning was done. These patients were followed up for a minimum period of six months. The age of the patients ranged from 3-ilyrs. There was male preponderance 83% male and 17% female. 16°/o patients developed pin tract infection, which resolved with oral antibiotics. One patient (4%) developed preoperative ulnar nerve injury, which recovered completely. In one case (4%) open reduction and internal fixation was done subsequently as position was unsatisfactory on post-operative check radiograph. Out of 23 cases in which pinning resulted satisfactory position, in 21 (92%) of cases there was good functional result in 2 (8%) cases there was lack of full extension at the end of follow-up. It is concluded that closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is the method of choice for the management of displaced supracondylar fracture of Humerus in children.