内外髁三针固定治疗儿童肱骨髁上骨折中尺神经损伤的预防

目的：探讨内外髁三针交叉固定治疗儿童肱骨髁上骨折尺神经损伤的预防。方法：81例儿童肱骨髁上骨折，男54例，女27例；年龄2．5～11岁，平均6岁。根据Gartland分型：Ⅱ型25例，Ⅲ型56例。采用内外髁三针交叉固定方法治疗，患者均闭合复位内外髁三针交叉固定，术后石膏托固定3周。结果：81例获得随访，患者术后均获得即时稳定性和远期骨性愈合，均未出现医源性尺神经损伤，肘关节功能均获得满意恢复。结论：内外髁三针交叉固定术是一种稳定而可靠的治疗不稳定髁上骨折方法，术中尺神经损伤完全可以避免。     

Iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury after pin fixation and after antegrade nailing of supracondylar humeral fractures in children

Background and purpose

Ulnar nerve injury may occur after pinning of supracondylar fractures in children. We describe the outcome and compare the rates of iatrogenic injuries to the ulnar nerve in a consecutive series of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children treated with either crossed pinning or antegrade nailing.

Methods

Medical charts of all children sustaining this fracture treated at our department between 1994 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed regarding the mode of treatment, demographic data including age and sex, the time until implant removal, the outcome, and the rate of ulnar nerve injuries.

Results

503 children (55% boys) with an average age of 6.5 years sustained a type-II, type-III, or type-IV supracondylar fracture. Of those, 440 children were included in the study. Antegrade nailing was performed in 264 (60%) of the children, and the others were treated with crossed pins. Iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury occurred in 0.4% of the children treated with antegrade nailing and in 15% of the children treated with crossed pinning. After median 3 (1.6–12) years of follow-up, the clinical outcome was good and similar between the 2 groups.

Interpretation

Intramedullary antegrade nailing of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures can be considered an adequate and safe alternative to the widely performed crossed K-wire fixation. The risk of iatrogenic nerve injury after antegrade nailing is small compared to that after crossed pinning.In children, supracondylar fractures are the most common type of fracture of the elbow region (Omid et al. 2008). Boys usually have a higher incidence of this type of fracture but some recent reports in the literature describe rising rates in girls (Cheng et al. 2001). Most of the patients are 5–7 years old (Davis et al. 2000, Omid et al. 2008, Zamzam and Bakarman 2009). At this age, the potential for fracture remodeling decreases; therefore, malreduction may lead to persistent deformity (Wessel et al. 2003).In displaced fractures, the most common operative treatment is closed reduction and pin fixation. Different techniques have been reported, but crossed pinning with postoperative immobilization is the preferred technique (Brauer et al. 2007, Kocher et al. 2007, Zamzam and Bakarman 2009). Iatrogenic injury to the ulnar nerve has been described in up to 20% of the cases treated with crossed pinning (Lyons et al. 1998). In addition, radial pinning may damage the radial and anterior interosseous nerve (Brauer et al. 2007, Kocher et al. 2007, Omid et al. 2008).In 1990, a technique with antegrade nailing for supracondylar fractures was first described by Prevot et al. (1990). Schaffer et al. (2007) and Weinberg et al. (2003) treated 60 and 50 children with this technique and reported no iatrogenic injuries to the ulnar nerve.We determined the outcome and compared the rates of iatrogenic injuries to the ulnar nerve in a consecutive series of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children treated with either crossed pinning or antegrade nailing.     

Predicting ulnar nerve location in pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures

Thirty-four consecutive patients with displaced supracondylar humerus fractures were treated with reduction and percutaneous pinning. The precise location of the ulnar nerve to the medial pin was determined by intraoperative nerve stimulation. In 22 of the 34 patients, the authors attempted to predict the location of the ulnar nerve by palpation and placing a mark on the skin. They also recorded the ability to feel the anatomic landmarks for pin fixation, including the medial epicondyle and ulnar nerve. The average distance from the medial pin to the predicted location was 9.3 mm, whereas the actual distance measured 7.6 mm, for a significant difference of 1.7 mm. Statistically, the authors could not accurately predict the location of the ulnar nerve prior to blind percutaneous crossed K-wire fixation of supracondylar humerus fractures. However, clinically they were fairly close in their prediction and documented safe insertion and distance from the nerve. Intraoperative nerve stimulation may assist in localizing the nerve prior to placement of the medial pin. Stimulation of the pin itself following insertion is another technique to ensure safe pin placement and decrease the risk of injury.     

Beware of ulnar nerve entrapment in flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures

Purpose A recent study reported a higher incidence of pre-operative ulnar nerve symptoms in patients with flexion-type supracondylar fractures than in those with the more common extension supracondylar fractures and a greater need for open reduction (Kocher in POSNA paper #49 2006). We have encountered a specific pattern of flexion supracondylar fractures that often require open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) due to entrapment of the ulnar nerve within the fracture. Methods Medical records and X-rays from 1997 to 2005 at our children’s hospital were examined to identify flexion supracondylar fractures that required open reduction. The operative reports were reviewed to identify cases that had the ulnar nerve blocking the reduction. Results During the 8 years examined, 1,650 supracondylar fractures had been treated by means of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Of these, only 1.8% or 30 cases could not be reduced closed and required open reduction internal fixation, excluding 11 open fractures. Of the 30 fractures requiring open reduction internal fixation, 24 were of the extension type needing ORIF because of interposed periosteum/muscle. The other 6 patients had flexion-type supracondylar fractures that failed closed reduction. All had a persistent medial gap at the fracture site. All 6 fractures had interposed periosteum or muscle, while in 3 cases the ulnar nerve was also entrapped within the fracture site (Figs. 1, 2) Conclusion Flexion-type supracondylar fractures remain a relatively uncommon variant (2–3%) of supracondylar fractures. Recent reports have noted that open treatment of these fractures is required more frequently than for extension fractures. In our series, 20% of the open cases were flexion-type fractures and in half of these the ulnar nerve was found to be entrapped in the fracture, preventing reduction. Study conducted at Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center. No financial support was received for this project.     

超声技术引导闭合穿针保护尺神经治疗儿童肱骨髁上骨折

目的 探讨在治疗肱骨髁上骨折时利用超声技术探查尺神经的位置,以提高内侧穿针时尺神经安全性的效果观察.方法 对我科于2012年2月至2014年5月收治的53例移位的肱骨髁上骨折患儿进行了肱骨内侧穿针的前瞻性研究.其中,男33例,女20例;年龄为1~13岁,平均为(5.3±0.4)岁.GartlandⅡ型18例,GartlandⅢ型35例.患儿均无尺神经损伤,开放复位4例,闭合复位49例.对患儿骨折复位后进行了交叉穿针技术固定,术中使用超声引导内侧穿针,以避免尺神经损伤.记录术中神经血管的状态和并发症情况,观察患儿愈合情况和愈合时间.超声观察术中、术后情况:术中尺神经和固定针的位置关系,术后有无尺神经损伤的临床症状和表现.结果 术中使用超声检查,能够清楚地观察到肘管解剖形态,尺神经能得到清楚的显示.屈肘10°时,患儿使尺神经在肘管内松弛,在超声引导下顺利完成骨折内侧穿针.术中没有病例发生尺神经损伤.患儿术后均获得随访,随访时间为6~24个月,平均为(16.2±9)个月.患儿骨折全部愈合,愈合时间为2.7~3.1个月,平均为(2.9±0.2)个月.结论 目前在操作技术上有较高的要求,但其可以准确地显示尺神经位置、引导穿针,可以有效地提高尺神经安全性,故我们认为超声技术是引导肱骨髁上骨折治疗时内侧穿针的有效工具.     

Low incidence of ulnar nerve injury with crossed pin placement for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures using a mini-open technique

OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies have suggested that medial pinning in pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures leads to increased rates of ulnar nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in a consecutive series of supracondylar fractures treated using a standardized technique of crossed pin placement. DESIGN: Single cohort retrospective. SETTING: Metropolitan university tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-one consecutive children with Gartland type II or type III supracondylar humerus were treated surgically by 2 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons at 1 institution between 1995 and 2000 using a medial mini-open and cross-pinning technique. Sixty-five patients were available for follow-up (92%). INTERVENTION: Patients were treated with a combination of medial and lateral pins using a mini-incision technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes analyzed included ulnar nerve injury and clinical and radiographic evidence of healing. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 65 patients, of whom 29 (45%) presented with Gartland type III fractures, and the remaining 36 (55%) presented with a type II fracture. There were no ulnar nerve motor injuries. One patient was noted to have transient sensory changes in the ulnar nerve distribution postoperatively, which resolved by the 1-week follow-up visit. All patients were noted to have normal ulnar motor and sensory nerve function at final follow-up (average 4.5 months). No cases of nonunion, malunion, or infection were identified during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury with this specific technique of crossed pin placement for extension-type supracondylar humerus fractures was extremely low in this series. A single case of transient ulnar sensory neuropraxia occurred. Our series demonstrates that crossed pin fixation can be performed safely and reliably and is an appropriate treatment option for unstable supracondylar humerus fractures.     

Correlation between iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury and angular insertion of the medial pin in supracondylar humerus fractures

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the occurrence of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury and frontal and saggital angular insertion of the medial pin in type 3 pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures treated by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation using a cross-pin configuration. Radiographs of 90 children were retrospectively reviewed and two radiographic parameters were measured. The frontal humerus-pin angle was formed between the long axis of the humerus shaft and the axis of the medial pin on an anteroposterior radiograph. The saggital humerus-pin angle was formed between the long axis of the humerus shaft and the axis of the medial pin on a lateral radiograph and expressed as positive and negative values if the insertion direction of the pin was anterior to posterior or posterior to anterior, respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean saggital humerus-pin angle values of ulnar nerve injury and no neurological complication groups (12.1 degrees versus 1.6 degrees , respectively; P=0.001). It was concluded that, anteroposterior insertion of the medial pin in the saggital plane, while the elbow was in hyperflexion, correlated with the occurrence of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.     

Transarticular fixation for severely displaced supracondylar fractures in children

We have reviewed 34 children who had been treated by open reduction through a medial incision and transarticular pinning for a severely displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus. Follow-up ranging from nine months to 20 years showed that 27 of 34 elbows (79%) had excellent or good results, with satisfactory resolution of neurovascular problems and no complications due to the method of treatment.     

Crossed pin fixation of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children

The results of 42 children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus (six Gartland Type II and 36 Gartland Type III) treated with crossed pin fixation are reported. In 37 fractures (88%) the teardrop configuration was restored successfully. All fractures healed without loss of reduction. No patients had iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. Crossed-pin fixation of supracondylar humeral fractures is a safe and effective way of maintaining skeletal stability in children. Careful technique safeguards against ulnar nerve injury.     

超声在闭合复位内外侧交叉穿针固定治疗儿童肱骨髁上骨折中保护尺神经的可行性研究

目的:探讨超声在闭合复位内外侧交叉穿针固定治疗儿童肱骨髁上骨折中保护尺神经的可行性。方法 :自2018年1月至2019年12月收治63例肱骨髁上骨折患儿,根据引导方式不同分为超声引导组和X线引导组。超声引导组32例,采用超声引导下闭合复位经皮内外交叉克氏针固定,男20例,女12例,年龄3～11(6.06±2.02)岁。X线引导组31例,采用X线引导下闭合复位经皮内外交叉克氏针固定,男17例,女14例,年龄2～10(5.61±1.96)岁。记录两组患者的手术时间,接受电透次数,骨折愈合时间,尺神经损伤情况,术后12个月采用Flynn疗效评分评价功能恢复情况。结果:所有患儿获得随访,超声引导组随访时间9～12(11.53±0.76)个月,X线引导组随访时间10～13(11.51±0.72)个月,两组患儿手术时间、随访时间、骨折愈合时间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。X线引导组接受电透次数(21.65±5.58)次明显多于超声引导组(3.06±1.24)次(P<0.01)。超声引导组术后未发生医源性尺神经损伤,X线引导组术后2例出现尺神经损伤,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P...     

Iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury after percutaneous cross-pinning of supracondylar fracture in a child

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus is the most common fracture of the elbow in children and has been treated by a variety of methods. Recently, stabilization of reduced fractures with percutaneous pin fixation has become the accepted method of treatment. Ulnar nerve injury is a complication of percutaneous pinning of supracondylar fractures, although many authors have reported that it resolves spontaneously after removal of the pin.     

Lateral-entry pin fixation in the management of supracondylar fractures in children

BACKGROUND: There has been controversy regarding the optimal pin configuration in the management of supracondylar humeral fractures in children. A crossed-pin configuration may be mechanically more stable than lateral pins in torsional loading, but it is associated with a risk of iatrogenic injury to the ulnar nerve. Previous clinical studies have suggested that lateral pins provide sufficient fixation of unstable supracondylar fractures. However, these studies were retrospective and subject to patient-selection bias. METHODS: A displaced supracondylar humeral fracture was fixed with only lateral-entry pins in 124 consecutively managed children. Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to identify any complications, including loss of fracture reduction, iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury, infection, loss of motion of the elbow, and the need for additional surgery. In addition, eight displaced supracondylar humeral fractures that had been reduced and fixed with lateral pins at other institutions and had lost reduction were analyzed to determine the causes of the failures. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children had a type-2 fracture, according to Wilkins's modification of Gartland's classification system; forty-three (62%) of those fractures were stabilized with two pins and twenty-six (38%), with three pins. Fifty-five children had a type-3 fracture; nineteen (35%) of those fractures were stabilized with two pins and thirty-six (65%), with three pins. A comparison of perioperative and final radiographs showed no loss of reduction of any fracture. There was also no clinically evident cubitus varus, hyperextension, or loss of motion. There were no iatrogenic nerve palsies, and no patient required additional surgery. One patient had a pin-track infection. Our analysis of the eight clinical and radiographic failures of lateral pin fixation that were not part of the consecutive series showed that the loss of fixation was due to fundamental technical errors. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, consecutive series without selection bias, the use of lateral-entry pins alone was effective for even the most unstable supracondylar humeral fractures. There were no iatrogenic ulnar nerve injuries, and no reduction was lost. The important technical points for fixation with lateral-entry pins are (1) maximize separation of the pins at the fracture site, (2) engage the medial and lateral columns proximal to the fracture, (3) engage sufficient bone in both the proximal segment and the distal fragment, and (4) maintain a low threshold for use of a third lateral-entry pin if there is concern about fracture stability or the location of the first two pins.     

Pitfalls of lateral external fixation for supracondylar humeral fractures in children

Introduction  

Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is a standard treatment for dislocated supracondylar humeral fractures in children. However, the management of these fractures remains challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate lateral external fixation as a treatment alternative for these fractures.     

Neurologic complications after K-wire fixation of supracondylar humerus fractures in children

A retrospective review of 143 supracondylar humerus fractures in children treated with K-wire fixation disclosed four neurologic complications after treatment. There were two late ulnar neuropraxias. One ulnar nerve injury and one radial nerve injury resulted from direct trauma during insertion of a K-wire. All patients regained full neurologic function.