Treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures in the community hospital.

BACKGROUND: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are among the most common elbow injuries in the pediatric population. Because of the significant morbidity associated with treating displaced pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures, most community-based orthopedic surgeons prefer to transfer these injuries to specialty children's hospitals. Our intention in writing this article was to document and evaluate the results we obtained using the lateral diverging pin technique to treat patients at our community hospital. In doing so, we set out to determine if our results were comparable to those of specialty hospitals, allowing us in the future to eliminate the inconvenience placed on patients and their families when being transferred to a specialty facility.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients treated surgically at our institution for a closed Gartland type II or type III supracondylar distal humerus fracture during the months of September and October of 2005. The medical records and radiographs of all children who had been treated for a displaced extension-type supracondylar humerus fractures were evaluated. The data recorded from the chart review included the age and sex of the patients, preoperative and postoperative neurovascular status, operative techniques (2 vs 3 lateral entry point Kirschner wires), and the operative time (start to close). The radiographs were reviewed to determine the Gartland type of fracture and the Baumann angle on the anteroposterior film immediately postoperative and at the time of fracture union.

RESULTS: Four Gartland type II and 3 Gartland type III fractures were identified during the study period. There were 3 boys and 4 girls with a mean age of 6.29 years (range, 3.92-8.58 years). The mean immediate postoperative Baumann angle was 18.29 degrees (range, 10-25 degrees). At the time of fracture union, the mean Baumann angle was 19.0 degrees (range, 14-22 degrees). The mean range-of-motion loss as compared with the extension loss (range, 10-2 degrees) and 4.57 degrees of flexion loss (range, 10-2 degrees). The mean operative time was 20.43 minutes (range, 7-37 minutes).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the change in Baumann angle and loss of range of motion compare favorably with results of studies done at specialty hospitals. We believe that the divergent lateral pinning technique, in combination with postoperative splinting and a sling can provide excellent results while eliminating the risk of injury to the ulnar nerve. With this knowledge, we feel that the advantage to treating these fractures at a community hospital is the elimination of the anxiety, stress, and time spent waiting in the emergency department of multiple hospitals.