Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children

Twenty-seven widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated by open reduction and cross K-wire fixation by the medial approach over a 30-month period. The mean follow-up was 14 months, average age 8 years and the mean delay in presentation 49 hours. Medial approach...

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Main Authors: Ritabh Kumar, Rajesh Malhotra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2000-12-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900000800204
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author Ritabh Kumar
Rajesh Malhotra
author_facet Ritabh Kumar
Rajesh Malhotra
author_sort Ritabh Kumar
collection DOAJ
description Twenty-seven widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated by open reduction and cross K-wire fixation by the medial approach over a 30-month period. The mean follow-up was 14 months, average age 8 years and the mean delay in presentation 49 hours. Medial approach provided an excellent view of the medial bone pathology via an internervous plane and enabled an anatomical reduction in all cases. Cross K-wire fixation obviated the need to immobilize the elbow at 90 degrees or more flexion. No postoperative neurovascular complication was noted. Most patients regained full range of motion within 6 weeks of pin removal and no change in the carrying angle was noted. Delayed presentation, repeated manipulations and massage were responsible for loss of motion. Superficial pin tract infection was noted in 5 patients and resolved with dressings and antibiotics. No deep infection occurred. Medial approach for open reduction and internal fixation of the widely-displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus is safe and straightforward, ensuring anatomical reduction and excellent function.
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spelling doaj.art-def556f7f328498f9e99a6b81ec023562022-12-21T23:48:38ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery2309-49902000-12-01810.1177/230949900000800204Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in ChildrenRitabh KumarRajesh MalhotraTwenty-seven widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated by open reduction and cross K-wire fixation by the medial approach over a 30-month period. The mean follow-up was 14 months, average age 8 years and the mean delay in presentation 49 hours. Medial approach provided an excellent view of the medial bone pathology via an internervous plane and enabled an anatomical reduction in all cases. Cross K-wire fixation obviated the need to immobilize the elbow at 90 degrees or more flexion. No postoperative neurovascular complication was noted. Most patients regained full range of motion within 6 weeks of pin removal and no change in the carrying angle was noted. Delayed presentation, repeated manipulations and massage were responsible for loss of motion. Superficial pin tract infection was noted in 5 patients and resolved with dressings and antibiotics. No deep infection occurred. Medial approach for open reduction and internal fixation of the widely-displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus is safe and straightforward, ensuring anatomical reduction and excellent function.https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900000800204
spellingShingle Ritabh Kumar
Rajesh Malhotra
Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
title Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
title_full Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
title_fullStr Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
title_full_unstemmed Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
title_short Medial Approach for Operative Treatment of the Widely Displaced Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children
title_sort medial approach for operative treatment of the widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children
url https://doi.org/10.1177/230949900000800204
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