Objective and design
Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children are the most commonly diagnosed fractures in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus.
Patients and methods
Between 2006 and 2009, 318 patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were included. All of them were treated with closed versus open reduction and percutaneous K-wire pinning.
Results
Patients were followed-up for a period from 24 to 48 months with an average of 36 months. Time elapsed from trauma to surgery was less than 6 h in 213 children with good-to-excellent results in all of them. In 66 children, it was 6–12 h with good-to-excellent results in 58 and fair results in eight children. Among the remaining 39 children who were operated up on more than 12 h after trauma, 24 children showed good-to-excellent results, 11 showed fair results, and four children showed poor results.
Conclusion
Percutaneous pinning is a successful method for treating displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. The time elapsed from trauma to surgery is the most important determining factor regarding indications for open reduction and complications.