Percutaneous K-wire fixation of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children / 영남의대학술지

ABSTRACT

During the period from March 1990 to November 1993, 22 children with diplaced supracondylar fracture of humerus were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation at department of Orthopaedic surgery in Yeungnam University. All fracture were treated with closed reduction under the general anesthesia and percutaneous pinning. After the fracture was internally fixed, intraoperative anteroposterior reontgenograms of each distal humerus were compared. Only anatomical reduction ensured good result,, because the main cause of late cubitus varus was medial tilting of distal fragment. We could follow up 10 patients more than one year. By Flynn's criteria, satisfactory result were obtained in 9 of the 10. Unsatisfactory one had a limitation in flexion of elbow joint, but had no problem in cosmetic feature. In short term follow up of 7 patients, 5 patients had a satisfactory result, too. There were no neurovascular complication and hospitalization was shortened to 11.4 days. Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning provided stabillity, vascular safty, simplified management, reduced hospital stay. This is safe and reliable technique for obtaining and maintaining an exellent reduction.