Open reduction and rehabilitation of the deformity after humeral lateral condyle fractures in children / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To investigate etiopathogenisis,modus operandi and rehabilitation in treatment of bone nonunion and residual deformity (cubitus valgus) after humeral lateral condyle fractures in children. [Method]The author retrospective summarized a total of 27 patients diagnosed with humeral lateral condyle fracture follow with bone nonunion and/or cubitus valgus consecutive enrolled in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from 2001 to 2006,including 19 cases of male,8 cases of female,16 cases of right humeral lateral condyle fracture and 11 cases of left. The mean age at injured for all the patients (n =27) was 5.6 yr (range 3-10 yr).The mean age at suigical operation for all the patients (n =27) was 9 yr (range 5-14 yr).The average time from injury to operation was 2.8 yr (range 8mon-10 yr).There were three modus operations including direct normal position internal fixation of 7 cases,open reduction following os illium bone graft internal fixation of 11 cases,distant humerus varus wedge shape cut orthopaedic for 9 cases.[Result]Thirteen patients were followed up ranging from 6 month to 2 years,and 14 patients over 2 years. All the patients were achieved union for 8 to 16 weeks after surgery. Elbow deformity had been corrected and function of elbow joint had been recoverd satisfactorily. All of them,excellent rerult were found in 13 cases,good in 11 cases,and poor in 3 cases,the excellent and good rates was 88.9%. None of the cases happened with osteonecrosis,traumatic arthritis and myositis ossificans.[Conclusion]It is common that delay treatment of humeral lateral condyle fractures in children can result in bone nonunion and residual deformity (cubitus valgus) and it is difficult for treatment. Corresponding surgical treatment with different condition and early exercise can improve the appearance and function of elbow joint.