Management of Lateral Condyle Humeral Fracture Associated With Elbow Dislocation in Children. A Retrospective International Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Lateral humeral condyle fractures account for 12% to 17% of all distal humerus fractures in children, and usually occur as an isolated injury or are associated with radial neck and/or proximal ulna fractures. The presentation with a concomitant dislocation of the elbow is rare. Therefore, literature on young patients with this uncommon combination is sparse and mostly limited to case reports and small case series. The aim of the present study is to identify the best treatment strategy for this injury, recognize potential risk factors for the development of complications, and identify predictors of outcome.

METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective review of electronic and written medical records for skeletally immature patients who were diagnosed with a lateral condyle fracture of the humerus associated with elbow dislocation (ED). Data recorded included patient demographics, fracture classification, direction of the dislocation, treatment strategy, time to union, elbow range of motion, complications, and additional procedures. The modified Flynn criteria were used to determine the outcomes.

RESULTS: We identified 23 patients who presented to 3 institutions with a concomitant lateral humeral condyle fractures and an ED. The mean age at the time of injury was 8.7 years (range: 6 to 13 y). The median time from injury to surgery was 1 day (interquartile range: 0.5, minimum to maximum: 0 to 29 d). The median follow-up was 24 weeks (interquartile range: 16, minimum to maximum: 4 to 120 wk). The injury occurred more commonly in males (79%) with Weiss type 3 fractures. The direction of the dislocation was posterior or posteromedial in most cases. Open reduction through a modified Kocher lateral approach and fixation with either Kirschner wires (N = 12) or cannulated screws (N = 9) was the preferred method of treatment. Eight patients (34.8%) developed complications, including persistent elbow stiffness (N = 5), elbow instability (N = 1), and avascular necrosis (N = 2). There were no cases of delayed union, nonunion, malunion, heterotopic ossification, neurological injury, or hardware failure. Patients treated with casting or Kirschner wire fixation had a significantly increased rate of elbow stiffness compared with screw fixation (50%, 25%, and 11%, respectively, P = 0.015). According to Flynn's criteria, 65% of the patients had good or excellent outcomes, and 35% had poor.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate a higher than previously described rate of complications in children with lateral condyle humerus fracture associated with ED, including persistent elbow stiffness, avascular necrosis, and chronic elbow instability, leading to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes in over one-third of the cases. Our findings suggest that the internal fixation with screws, combined with a shorter postoperative immobilization period (2 wk) may lead to improved clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-therapeutic, case series.