Background: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common fractures in children under 7 years old and the most common pediatric fracture requiring surgery. Supracondylar humeral fractures may be accompanied by a vascular injury that is worse than the fracture. The early recognition of vascular complications is crucial to performing an adequate and rapid treatment that provides a good prognosis.
Objective: To determine the incidence of vascular injuries in Supracondylar humeral fractures.
Patients and methods: This was a prospective observational analytical study that included a total of 100 pediatric patients who were presented by SFH to the Emergency Hospital (MUEH), Mansoura University Mansoura. Entire pediatric cases were further classified into 2 groups according to the state of vascular affection; Group 1 which included cases who were presented with vascular injuries and Group 2 which included cases having no vascular injury.
Results: Incidence of vascular injury was demonstrated to be significantly increased with increased age and male sex. However, no significant correlation was recorded between the incidence of vascular injury and past history. Incidence of vascular injury was demonstrated to have a significant correlation with advanced grades of fractures (III and IV)), positive hard signs, and positive soft signs (P<0.001). No associated mortality was recorded among the studied cases.
Conclusion: Vascular injury seems to be a frequent critical adverse event of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures which was demonstrated to be correlated positively with advanced grades of fractures (III and IV).