Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus

The results of open reduction and internal fixation were analysed in 200 displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Overall, excellent results were obtained in 65% of cases, good in 15% and unsatisfactory in 20%. Delay in surgery was found to lead to unsatisfactory results. The operation was performed within 48 hours of injury in 140 cases and gave an excellent result in 120 cases, whereas delayed surgery, in 60 cases, gave an excellent result in only 10 cases. Open reduction provides an accurate, stable reduction, is easy to perform and has been found to give consistently good results.