Trans-olecranon fossa four-cortex purchase lateral pinning in displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus - a prospective analysis in 48 children

SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURES IN CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TREATMENT OPTIONS

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of surgical stabilization of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures with the use of crossed Kirschner wires versus divergent lateral pinning wires.

METHODS

This is a systematic review with meta-analysis carried out by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo databases. In these, the search for journals was carried out between January and August 2023, where 695 studies were found. To assess the quality of the studies, the Jadad and the MINORS scales were used.. The selection and reading of relevant articles were carried out by the researchers and 11 studies met the selection criteria.

RESULTS

From the 11 selected studies, 963 patients who met the criteria for the surgical treatment of these fractures were grouped. After the statistical analysis, we found that the ulnar nerve injury had a higher incidence when the crossed-K wire technique was used; and the lateral fixation is safer for the ulnar nerve.

CONCLUSION

Both fixation techniques determine good functional results. However, fixation with lateral Kirschner wires proves to be safer considering the risk of iatrogenic injury to the ulnar nerve. Crossed-K wire fixation is more effective in terms of stability and maintenance of fracture reduction. Level of Evidence II, Systematic Review of Level II or Level I Studies with discrepant results.

Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Classification Based Treatment Algorithms

Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common fractures around the elbow in children between 4 and 10 years of age. The treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures can vary from conservative treatment to operative treatment depending on the fracture type. All around the world, the most commonly used classification system is the Wilkins-modified Gartland classification of supracondylar humerus fractures. Currently, the decision to operate or conserve the fracture is taken on basis of this classification system. Non-operative treatment for type I fractures and operative treatment for type III fractures have been well-established in literature. The management of type II supracondylar humerus fracture creates confusion in the minds of numerous orthopaedic surgeons around the world. We have tried addressing this using a classification-based treatment algorithm. Other classification systems like the AO classification, Lagrange and Rigault classification and Bahk classification with special reference to special fracture patterns that require attention and pre-op planning have also been mentioned. It is important to understand that operative management of each supracondylar humerus fracture is unique as regards fixation method and it is important to consider the fracture pattern before internal fixation.