Reproducibility of the Gartland Classification for Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children

Purpose. To evaluate the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of the Gartland radiographic classification for supracondylar humeral fractures in children. Methods. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of 50 supracondylar humeral fractures in children were graded on 2 separate occasions by 4...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J Heal, M Bould, J Livingstone, N Blewitt, AW Blom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2007-04-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900701500104
Description
Summary:Purpose. To evaluate the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of the Gartland radiographic classification for supracondylar humeral fractures in children. Methods. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of 50 supracondylar humeral fractures in children were graded on 2 separate occasions by 4 orthopaedic surgeons according to the Wilkins modification of the Gartland classification. Data were analysed by calculating the Kappa values for intra- and inter-observer agreement to indicate the reproducibility of the classification. Results. There was moderate inter-observer agreement, except for poor agreement over type I fractures. Type II fractures only showed fair to moderate agreement. Type III fractures and the flexion group showed good to very good agreement. Intra-observer agreement was good to very good. Conclusion. Surgeons should treat paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures based on an assessment of the degree of displacement rather than by employing the Gartland classification.
ISSN:2309-4990