Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children [comparative study of the conservative and operative treatment]

ABSTRACT

One hundred and five children with displaced extension-type supracondylar fractures of the humerus treated by conservative and operative method were reviewed in this study. Forty nine patients were treated by manipulative reduction and immobilisation in a plaster cast and forty patients had closed reduction and Kirschner wire fixation. The other sixteen patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The results of treatment by these three methods were assessed clinically and compared. After a mean period of 4.6 years [ranged two to eight years] follow up; according to Flynn's clinical grading there were highest percentage [75%] of excellent result achieved by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation followed by open reduction and internal fixation [61%] and closed reduction and plaster cast [52%]. In the light of our experience and of the good results we recommend that percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation is the method of choice in the management of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children