Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children

ObjectiveIn the past, obviously displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children were treated satisfactorily with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). However, in recent years, more studies have mentioned closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of these fractures.Metho...

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Main Authors: Fei Qiao, Xiaohong Guan, Fei Jiang, Ping Lv
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1223615/full
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author Fei Qiao
Xiaohong Guan
Fei Jiang
Ping Lv
author_facet Fei Qiao
Xiaohong Guan
Fei Jiang
Ping Lv
author_sort Fei Qiao
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveIn the past, obviously displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children were treated satisfactorily with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). However, in recent years, more studies have mentioned closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of these fractures.MethodsIn this retrospective investigation, the radiographic and clinical results of patients with these fractures that were initially managed with CRPP were newly classified. We classified these fractures into three groups according to the degree and pattern of fracture displacement as identified on four radiographic images. In Type I, the fracture is unstable and displacement is ≥2 mm; In Type II degree I, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with single rotation of fragment; In Type II degree II, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with single rotation of fragment, with rotation of fragment and antero-proximal displacement; In Type III, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with posterior dislocation of elbow joint. We also designed an algorithm for closed reduction of these fractures according to this new classification.ResultsWe retrospectively analyzed the radiographic and clinical results of 37 unstable fractures (in 22 boys and 15 girls) that were treated with closed reduction. Twenty-one of 25 (84.0%) type I fractures, which could have been reduced to within 2 mm of residual displacement, were treated with closed reduction and pinning with 2 or 3 Kirschner wires (K wires). Three of 5 (60.0%) type II degree I, 3 of 4 (75.0%) type II degree II, and 3 of 3 (100%) type III fractures were treated with CRPP. In 4 of 25 (16.0%) type I, 2 of 5 (40.0%) type II degree I and 1 of 4 (25.0%) type II degree II fractures, closed reduction failed, so ORIF was implemented. There were no complications, such as nonunion, osteonecrosis of the capitellum, superficial or deep infection, malunion, cubitus varus or valgus, or early physeal arrest.ConclusionAlthough the management of type III fractures may not be more difficult than type II fractures with a rotated fracture fragment, as elbow dislocations are usually easy reducible. This retrospective study showed that type III fractures should not be ignored as a lateral condyle fracture that can be cured with CRPP and that lateral humeral condyle fractures with obvious displacement and rotation can be initially treated with CRPP to achieve satisfactory recovery of the elbow. Kirschner wire (K wire) fixation is recommended to avoid reoperation or anesthesia for hardware removal.
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spelling doaj.art-a58f55097b304501b02562409ae894582023-08-23T15:28:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602023-08-011110.3389/fped.2023.12236151223615Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in childrenFei Qiao0Xiaohong Guan1Fei Jiang2Ping Lv3Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesia, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group, Dalian, ChinaObjectiveIn the past, obviously displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children were treated satisfactorily with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). However, in recent years, more studies have mentioned closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of these fractures.MethodsIn this retrospective investigation, the radiographic and clinical results of patients with these fractures that were initially managed with CRPP were newly classified. We classified these fractures into three groups according to the degree and pattern of fracture displacement as identified on four radiographic images. In Type I, the fracture is unstable and displacement is ≥2 mm; In Type II degree I, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with single rotation of fragment; In Type II degree II, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with single rotation of fragment, with rotation of fragment and antero-proximal displacement; In Type III, the fracture is unstable and displacement is >2 mm, with posterior dislocation of elbow joint. We also designed an algorithm for closed reduction of these fractures according to this new classification.ResultsWe retrospectively analyzed the radiographic and clinical results of 37 unstable fractures (in 22 boys and 15 girls) that were treated with closed reduction. Twenty-one of 25 (84.0%) type I fractures, which could have been reduced to within 2 mm of residual displacement, were treated with closed reduction and pinning with 2 or 3 Kirschner wires (K wires). Three of 5 (60.0%) type II degree I, 3 of 4 (75.0%) type II degree II, and 3 of 3 (100%) type III fractures were treated with CRPP. In 4 of 25 (16.0%) type I, 2 of 5 (40.0%) type II degree I and 1 of 4 (25.0%) type II degree II fractures, closed reduction failed, so ORIF was implemented. There were no complications, such as nonunion, osteonecrosis of the capitellum, superficial or deep infection, malunion, cubitus varus or valgus, or early physeal arrest.ConclusionAlthough the management of type III fractures may not be more difficult than type II fractures with a rotated fracture fragment, as elbow dislocations are usually easy reducible. This retrospective study showed that type III fractures should not be ignored as a lateral condyle fracture that can be cured with CRPP and that lateral humeral condyle fractures with obvious displacement and rotation can be initially treated with CRPP to achieve satisfactory recovery of the elbow. Kirschner wire (K wire) fixation is recommended to avoid reoperation or anesthesia for hardware removal.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1223615/fullfractureschildrenclosed reductionKirschner wirepinning
spellingShingle Fei Qiao
Xiaohong Guan
Fei Jiang
Ping Lv
Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
Frontiers in Pediatrics
fractures
children
closed reduction
Kirschner wire
pinning
title Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
title_full Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
title_fullStr Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
title_full_unstemmed Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
title_short Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
title_sort closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for treatment of unstable lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children
topic fractures
children
closed reduction
Kirschner wire
pinning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1223615/full
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AT feijiang closedreductionandpercutaneouspinningfortreatmentofunstablelateralcondylefracturesofthehumerusinchildren
AT pinglv closedreductionandpercutaneouspinningfortreatmentofunstablelateralcondylefracturesofthehumerusinchildren