ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the effective treatments for fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle in children.Methods Twenty-five children with fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle treated from January 2008 to June 2011 were studied,including 18 males and 7 females at age of 7-14 years (mean,11.4 years).There were 7 cases accompanied with elbow joint dislocation and 2 lateral humeral epicondyle fracture.Patients were assigned to medial elbow approach to open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable rods (Group A,n =13) and open reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation (Group B,n =12) according to the random number table.A plaster support was applied after surgery.Functional training was initiated 2-3 weeks after operation for Group A and 4-6 weeks after adequate callus formation for Group B.Moreover,follow-up was performed at regular intervals.Results All patients were followed up for 6-41 months (mean,22 months).Mean healing time was 3.8 weeks (range,3-5 weeks) in Group A and 5.6 weeks (range,4-8 weeks) in Group B.At postoperative 6 months,Bede elbow performance score was (93.7 ± 3.3) points in Group A with 10 excellent and 3 good results and (85.3 ±6.3) points in Group B with 3 excellent,7 good,and2 fair results (t=-4.24,P＜0.05).Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable rods gains advantages of rigid immobilization,functional recovery and minor complication and hence is effective for treatment of medial humeral epicondyle fracture in children.