Treatment of type III supracondylar fracture of humerus in children, Backslab vs. no Backslab after open reduction internal fixation

ABSTRACT

To compare the results of application of pop back slab Vs no back slab after open reduction internal fixation in type III supracondylar humeral fracture. Randomized controlled trial. Department of orthopedics, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi Duration From 01 August, 2008 to 3ljuly, 2009. Patients with type III supracondylar humeral fracturers aged between 05 to 12 years were recruited from the outpatient and emergency department of Orthopaedic surgery Fauji Foundation Hospital [FFH], Rawalpindi. Open reduction internal fixation was done, Kochers approach was used and fixation was secured with two k-wires. Of total 70 patients, 52 [74.28%] were males and 18 [25.72%] were females. Forty two [60%] of the patients had age range between 05 to 08, and 28 [40%] were between 09 to 12 years old. In 51 [72.85%] left elbow was involved while right elbow was involved in 19 patients [27.15%]. Outcome of the procedure was analyzed according to Flynn's criteria showing excellent results in 21 patients [60%], good in 9 [25.71%], fair in 04 [11.43%] and poor in 01 [2.86%] in Group-I [with back slab] while in Group-II [without back slab] the results were excellent in 22 patients [62.85%], good in 7 [20%], fair in 04 [11.43%] and poor in 02 [5.72%]. By comparing patients with and without back slabs after OR1F of supracondylar fractures, we found no additional benefit in terms of stability, instead achieving early rehabilitation period, avoids extra cost and save valuable time of the surgical team without compromising any functional and cosmetic difference