Treatment of Pediatric Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus by Pin Leverage Technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new treatment method by pin leverage technique in Gartland type III fractures to avoid forceful manipulation or open reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99 cases were included in this study and divided into 3 groups (I;open reduction, II; closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation, III; pin leverage technique), and we analyzed timing to operation, length of operation, associated neurovascular injuries, complications, and clinical and radiological outcomes at final follow-up. RESULTS: The average length of operation 119, 57, and 68 minutes respectively. The associated nerve injuries were 8, 2, and 2 cases respectively. There were a case of superficial pin tract infection in group I, three cases of superficial pin tract infection and a case of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in group II. At final follow-up, clinical results were excellent or good in all cases and there were 5 cases (8.3%) of fair results in group II radiologically. Closed reduction with pin leverage technique were failed in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: In treatment of Gartland type III fractures, pin leverage reduction technique is considered to be a good alternative prior to open reduction, because it provides shortened length of operation, avoidance of forceful manipulation and open reduction.

Reduction of Pediatric Forearm Diaphyseal Fractures by Pin Leverage Technique

PURPOSE: Although the majority of children's forearm diaphyseal fractures may be treated conservatively with closed reduction and cast immobilization, unstable or irreducible fractures are usually treated by surgical management. Authors performed percutaneous pin leverage reduction technique for irreducible displaced diaphyseal fractures. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of pin leverage technique in pediatric forearm diaphyseal fractures MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 22 cases of forearm diaphyseal fractures reduced by percutaneous pin leverage technique between 1997 and 2002. We analyzed radiographs, operation time, hospital stay and immobilization period, range of motion, postoperative complications and functional results by Thomas. RESULTS: Average length of follow up was 28 months with mean age of 10.5 years. All fractures in this series healed less than 2 degrees of diaphyseal angulation. Average operation time including anesthesia was 42 minutes and hospital stay was 4.6 days. Time to union was 49.6 days in average and range of motion and functional results were satisfactory in all cases except one case of congenital radioulnar synostosis. There was one case of superficial pin track infection as complication. CONCLUSION: In operative treatment of children's diaphyseal fractures of forearm bones, percutaneous pin leverage reduction technique is a good alternative method prior to open reduction in case of difficult closed reduction.