CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT AND PERCUTANEOUS "K" WIRE FIXATION OF CHILDHOOD SUPRACONDYLAR HUMERUS FRACTURES: OBSERVATIONS OF 62 PERSONAL CASES.

Abstract

Supracondylar humeral fractures are frequent lesions during childhood. Treatment consists in a conservative approach for the compound and stable fractures; the unstable fractures are treated with a closed reduction surgery using percutaneous K-wire fixation. The authors considered 62 cases of supracondylar humerus fractures in patients between the ages of 2 and 11 years old, which occurred between 2000 and 2013. The surgical results were analyzed through post-operative X-ray examinations. The functional results were evaluated afterwards by observing the alteration of the elbow's anatomical profile, the presence or absence of a vascular-nervous deficit, the pain management, the muscular strength (MRC scale) and any eventual functional limitation. The mean follow-up was 7 years. According to the authors' experience, both the conservative treatment and the percutaneous "k" wire fixation guarantee good results and a low complication rate. For this reason, surgeon experience is crucial in relation to the fracture's nosologic overview and to the osteosynthesis surgery abilities.