Delay increases the need for open reduction of type-III supracondylar fractures of the humerus

Recent reports have suggested that a delay in the management of type-III supracondylar fractures of the humerus does not affect the outcome. In this retrospective study we examined whether the timing of surgery affected peri-operative complications, or the need for open reduction. There were 171 children with a closed type-III supracondylar fracture of the humerus and no vascular compromise in our study. They were divided into two groups: those treated less than eight hours from presentation to the Accident and Emergency Department (126 children), and those treated more than eight hours from presentation (45 children). There were no differences in the rate of complications between the groups, but children waiting more than eight hours for reduction were more likely to undergo an open reduction (33.3% vs 11.2%, p < 0.05) and there was a weak correlation (p = 0.062) between delay in surgery and length of operating time. Consequently, we would still recommend treating these injuries at the earliest opportunity.     

Delayed open reduction for supracondylar fractures of the humerus

Summary Twenty children with grade IV supracondylar fractures of the humerus had an open reduction 11 to 17 days after injury. The delay was due to swelling and blisters. Most patients recovered a useful range of movement and there were no complications. A posterior approach with V–Y plasty of the triceps makes it easy to align the fragments and reduces the incidence of cubitus varus. Apprehension about the risk of increasing the extent of myositis ossificans is unfounded.

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Résumé Vingt enfants présentant une fracture supra-condylienne de l'humérus de degré IV ont été traités par réduction sanglante 11 à 14 jours après l'accident. Le délai était dû à l'oedème et aux phlyctènes. La plupart des opérés ont récupéré une mobilité utile et n'ont pas eu de complications. Un abord postérieur avec plastie en V-Y du triceps facilite l'alignement des fragments et diminue la fréquence du cubitus varus. La crainte d'augmenter le risque de myosite ossifiante n'est pas justifiée.

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Offprint request to: S. Bhan     

有限切开复位与闭合复位治疗儿童Gartland Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较有限切开复位与闭合复位内固定治疗儿童GartlandⅢ型肱骨髁上骨折的疗效. 方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2010年12月收治并获随访的98例儿童GartlandⅢ型肱骨髁上骨折患者资料,其中有限切开复位组(行内侧或外侧小切口切开复位内固定)78例,男53例,女25例;平均年龄为75.9个月 闭合复位组(行闭合复位内固定)20例,男15例,女5例;平均年龄为70.7个月.比较两组患者的手术时间、术中透视次数和骨折愈合时间.术后3个月和1年时采用Flynn肘关节评分标准评定疗效. 结果 有限切开复位组手术时间[(52.2±7.0) min]较闭合复位组[(72.8±13.7) min]短;术中透视次数[(3.3±1.0)次]少于闭合复位组[(9.9±1.9)次],差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).所有患者术后获12～ 24个月(平均16.3个月)随访,均在术后4周获骨折临床愈合,术后2个月获骨性愈合.按照Flynn肘关节评分标准评定疗效:术后3个月有限切开复位组优良率[24.4％(19/78)]与闭合复位组[30％ (6/20)]比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);术后1年有限切开复位组优良率[100％ (78/78)]与闭合复位组[95％ (19/20)],比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0).05).两组均无骨折延迟愈合、骨筋膜间室综合征和医源性血管神经损伤等并发症发生,无一例需再次行髁上截骨术.结论 有限切开复位与闭合复位治疗儿童GartlandⅢ型肱骨髁上骨折,骨折愈合时间相同,而无法闭合复位的儿童GartlandⅢ型肱骨髁上骨折可通过有限切开复位获得满意复位,且后者手术时间短、术中透视次数少、术后1年患者肘关节功能更好.     

Completely displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children: results of open reduction versus closed reduction

 This retrospective study was performed to understand the clinical results after closed reduction and open reduction in 35 children (mean age 6.4 years) with completely displaced supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus between 1996 and 2000. Closed reduction (21 cases) was attempted, with open reduction (14 cases) indicated in irreducible cases with or without severe swelling. After an average follow-up of 22 months, according to Flynn's criteria, the results were excellent in 18, good in 12, fair in 2, and poor in 3. The satisfactory results rates were similar for closed and open reduction. The unsatisfactory results were related to the poor initial reduction and redisplacement after operation. The mean Baumann's angle was 8.7° in the closed reduction group and 6.6° in the open reduction group. None of the patients showed restricted elbow motion of more than 10°, even in two cases of hypertrophic scar in the open reduction group. Selective open reduction for displaced supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus produced as good results as closed reduction. Received: January 7, 2002 / Accepted: November 20, 2002 Offprint requests to: C-W. Oh     

Concomitant vascular complications in supracondylar humerus fractures in children

From January 1st 1990 to December 31st 1997, 614 children were treated for supracondylar humerus fracture at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the Olga Hospital, Stuttgart. Ten of these children had concomitant vascular complications. The concept of treatment we had chosen was analysed retrospectively. The median patient age of the seven girls and three boys with vascular complications was six years. The vascular injuries were diagnosed after admission to the hospital by palpation of the wrist pulse, clinical appraisal of the vascularity and by registration of the Doppler signal via the arteries of the wrist. The emergency operations carried out initially comprised fragment reposition and fixation with crossed K wires via an access route on the extensor side in all ten children. The subsequent appraisal of the blood flow revealed a pulse restoration (transient vascular occlusion due to dislocation) in two out of the ten children. In eight out of the ten children, the pulse did not return, which is why the vessel had to be explored under emergency conditions. Intraoperatively, we saw a vascular spasm with functional vascular occlusion in one of these eight children. Mechanical vascular occlusion were diagnosed in five of these eight children. In adventitial strangulation (two of these five children), the pulse transmission to the hand occurred immediately after severance of the strangulation connective tissue. In intimal damage (three of these five children), the vascular segment concerned was resected and reconstructed, mostly in the form of an end-to-end-anastomosis with venous patch grafting. We observed a combined vascular occlusion (mechanical-functional occlusion) in two out of these eight children. In the follow-up investigation, the wrist pulses could be palpated in nine children. Nine children had a physiological signal in color duplex sonography, and one child had a pathological monophasic signal over the brachial artery, radial artery as well as the ulnar artery. Late ischemic damage (cold intolerance, claudicatio, Volkmann's contracture) were not detected in any of the children. Appraisal of elbow joint mobility revealed a median extension deficit of 0 degrees (range 0-10 degrees ), a median flexion deficit of 0 degrees (range 0-15 degrees ) and a normal pronation and supination equal on each side. The load-carrying joint axis was normal in a comparison of the sides in all children.     

An analysis of open reduction of irreducible supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

Objectives

To review experience with irreducible supracondylar fractures requiring open reduction in children, and to propose guidelines for an open approach to supracondylar fractures.

Design

A chart review.

Setting

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), a pediatric centre with a large referral base.

Patients

Forty-one children (18 boys 23 girls, average age 7 years), who had open reduction of irreducible supracondylar fractures at the CHEO over a 10-year period (1985 to 1995). Of these 41 children, 7 were lost to direct follow-up.

Interventions

After closed reduction of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus failed, all patients underwent open reduction and percutaneous fixation in the operating room. Before operation, 6 had no radial pulse, 5 lost their pulse with flexion after reduction and 4 had unstable fracture patterns.

Main outcome measures

Assessment of elbow range of motion and carrying angle, distal neurovascular status and radiographic measurement of the Baumann angle and the humerocapitellar angle.

Results

In 25 children, the humerus was found to have “buttonholed” through the brachialis muscle; 1 had entrapment of the common flexor muscle at its origin and 1 had entrapment of the triceps. In 15 children there was entrapment or tethering of the median nerve and radial nerve or brachial artery, or both, but this was not predictive of preoperative neurovascular deficit, which was recorded in 21 patients (fully recovered). At follow-up, the Baumann angle and the humerocapitellar angle differed by an average of 2° and 5.3° respectively compared with the unaffected arm. Range of motion was satisfactory in 94% of patients, and there was no significant cubitus varus.

Conclusion

Open reduction of supracondylar fractures is a safe and effective procedure, for which orthopedists should should lower their threshold, given certain appropriate indicators.     

Open reduction and internal fixation for supracondylar humerus fractures in children

Eight hundred sixty-two supracondylar humerus fractures were treated between January 1984 and July 1997. Sixty-five (8%) patients were managed with open reduction and internal fixation with pins. The remaining 797 patients (92%) were managed with either casting, closed reduction with or without percutaneous pinning, or traction. Of the 65 patients managed with open reduction, 46 (71%) of these fractures were irreducible, 16 (24%) had associated vascular compromise, eight (12%) were open, and one was associated with a postreduction nerve palsy and nonanatomic reduction. According to the criteria of Flynn et al. 18 (55%) elbows were rated excellent, eight (24%) were rated good, three (9%) were rated fair, and four (12%) were rated poor after an average of 5.8 months postinjury. This study indicates that highly satisfactory results can be obtained in severely displaced fractures managed with open reduction in these situations.     

有限切开复位交叉克氏针固定治疗儿童Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折

目的：探讨采用有限切开复位交叉克氏针内固定术治疗儿童Ⅲ型肱骨髁上骨折的临床疗效。方法：自2000年3月-2002年9月采用肘内外联合小切口（长2～4cm）切开复位交叉克氏针内固定术，治疗完全移位的儿童肱骨髁上骨折共17例，所有骨折均为闭合性伸直型骨折，无神经血管损伤。患者平均年龄6．5岁（4～12岁）。从肘关节的功能和外观两方面进行疗效评价。结果：术后随访时间8～32个月，平均17．5个月。所有骨折均于术后3～5周达到临床愈合并拔除克氏针，治疗过程中未出现骨折再移位。术后无一例发生缺血性挛缩、尺神经损伤、肘内翻等并发症。按Flynn评分：优5例，良7例，一般5例，差0例。肘关节伸屈活动度的丢失是影响治疗结果的主要原因，但这种活动受限会随着时间的延长而有所改善。结论：采取有限切开复位交叉克氏针内固定手术的方法治疗完全移位的儿童肱骨髁上骨折，手术创伤小，能够使骨折得到满意的复位和固定，有效避免了医源性尺神经损伤，并可以获得良好的肘关节外形和功能。     

Factors associated with conversion to open reduction of type 3 supracondylar humerus fractures in children

BackgroundThe US News and World report utilizes the number of supracondylar humerus fractures treated in an open procedure, excluding open fractures and vascular exploration, as a metric in assessing Pediatric Orthopedic trauma care. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that increase the likelihood of a patient needing open reduction for Gartland Type 3 SCH fractures.MethodsAll pediatric patients who underwent surgical management of closed, Type 3 SCH fractures at our Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center between 2011 and 2017 were considered for inclusion. Patient age greater than 16 years, patients with closed physes and open fractures were excluded. Electronic medical records and radiographic imaging were reviewed. Student's t- and chi-squared tests were used, and logistic regression was performed comparing closed v open reduction.Results362 subjects were included in this study. 318/362 (87.8%) were treated with closed reduction. 44/362 (12.2%) required open reduction. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, BMI, concomitant ipsilateral extremity fractures, Type 4 unstable fracture or patients that underwent hospital transfer. The mechanisms of injury with the greatest percentage requiring open reduction were fall from furniture and trampoline. Of those patients that underwent open reduction, 65.9% had posterolateral displacement of the fracture. Those with displacement >4 mm had 3.14 higher odds of requiring an open reduction (p = 0.002). The anterior spike fracture pattern had the highest rate of failed closed reduction of 66.7%. Of those patients that had an open reduction, 13/44 (29.5%) had a neuropraxia and 5/44 (11.4%) had vascular compromise. Those with neuropraxia had 3.26 higher odds of requiring an open reduction (p = 0.005). Time to operating room was significantly shorter in patients that underwent open reduction (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur rate of open reduction for Type 3 SCH fractures, 12.2%, is consistent with previously described rates. Posterolateral displacement of fractures, displacement >4 mm, fractures with an anterior spike and fractures associated with neurovascular compromise are more likely to undergo open reduction. Transfer status, BMI and patient age were not associated with open reduction. Open reduction was associated with shorter time to the operating room, likely representing the urgent care of significantly displaced fractures associated with neurovascular compromise.Level of evidenceLevel III.     

Neurological complications in children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of primary and secondary nerve injury in supracondylar fractures of the humerus, and to find out which factors may be responsible for iatrogenic nerve injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: 32 children admitted with type II or type III supracondylar fracture of the humerus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of primary and secondary nerve injury and their relation to type of fracture and treatment. RESULTS: 3 patients developed primary nerve injuries (9%). 4 further children developed nerve injury during treatment. All these children had several closed reductions attempted before definitive treatment was given (either pinning with a Kirschner wire or overhead traction). CONCLUSION: Several attempts at closed reduction may cause iatrogenic nerve injury in unstable supracondylar fractures of the humerus.     

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.     

Neurological complications resulting from supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

One hundred thirty-eight children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus were reviewed. Seventeen (12%) exhibited neurological deficits. Nine median, four ulnar, and four radial neuropathies were encountered. The neurological deficit was treated expectantly. The osseous injury was treated by a variety of methods. All patients except two recovered spontaneously in an average of 9 weeks. One patient was still improving at 9 months' follow-up. Another patient with radial neuropathy underwent exploration 6 months after injury and was found to have a transected radial nerve. This study demonstrates that neurological deficits from supracondylar humeral fractures remain common, involve all three major nerves of forearm, and, with rare exception, recover with conservative therapy.     

Quality of reduction versus timing of surgical intervention for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures

Recent reports have shown that some displaced supracondylar humerus fractures can be treated in a delayed fashion the day following injury and complication rates will not be increased. This study determined if the quality of the reduction, as determined by restoration of Baumann's angle, is affected by surgical timing. Forty two patients ranging in age from 2 to 12 years were treated. Delayed intervention was defined as > 8 hours post-injury. Acute intervention occurred in 25 patients with a mean age of 5.5 years. Delayed intervention occurred in 17 patients with a mean age of 5.8 years. Baumann's angle was restored to within an average of 2.2 degrees of the contralateral elbow in the acute group and to within 1.2 degrees in the delayed group. Gartland type 2 fractures were more likely to be delayed in this retrospective study and these fractures showed better improvements in Baumann's angle restoration than did type 3 injuries when treated in a delayed fashion. In type 2 injuries and type 3 injuries without neurovascular compromise, delaying operations until the next morning will not compromise the quality of the reduction.     

Close reduction and percutaneous pinning in displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children

BackgroundDisplaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children are common pediatric injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. They also have a high rate of complications if not reduced and stabilized in optimal position which may lead to serious neurovascular injuries and residual deformity. Amongst the various methods used for treating these fractures, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning has shown improved results.MethodBetween March 2005 and April 2010, 277 cases of supracondylar humeral fractures (Gartland grade II and III) with less then 1 week old were included in this study. They were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning with crossed Kirschner wires under image intensifier control. Clinical outcome were assessed according to Flynn's criteria.ResultsThe mean age at the time of operation was 6 years (range 2–10 years) and the average duration of follow-up was 4.6 years (range 2.1–7.2 years). The Flynn's criteria were excellent in 202, good in 68, fair in 5 and only 2 with poor results.ConclusionClosed reduction and percutaneous pinning is a sound and effective treatment for displaced supracondylar fractures.     

The effect of surgical timing on the perioperative complications of treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perioperative complication rates associated with early surgical treatment (eight hours or less following injury) and delayed surgical treatment (more than eight hours following injury) of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children. METHODS: Fifty-two patients had early surgical treatment and 146 patients had delayed surgical treatment of a displaced supracondylar humeral fracture. The perioperative complication rates of the two groups were compared with the use of bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the need for conversion to formal open reduction and internal fixation (p = 0.56), pin-track infection (p = 0.12), or iatrogenic nerve injury (p = 0.72). No compartment syndromes occurred in either group. Power analysis revealed that our study had an 86% power to detect a 20% difference between the two groups if one existed. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to identify any significant difference, with regard to perioperative complication rates, between early and delayed treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures. Within the parameters outlined in our study, we think that the timing of surgical intervention can be either early or delayed as deemed appropriate by the surgeon.     

牵引复位治疗儿童伸直型肱骨髁上骨折

肱骨髁上骨折好发于少年儿童,手法复位夹板固定有其独特优势。自1994年至2004年,作者采用在复位前合理放置体位结合牵引治疗伸直型肱骨髁上骨折,获得满意复位,方法简单又不加重血管、神经损伤,随访未发现畸形,功能恢复良好,报告如下。     

Minimally invasive surgical techniques for irreducible supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

Background?Treatment of severely displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children remains a challenge. We retrospectively assessed the outcomes of the minimally invasive open reduction techniques used in our institutions for the treatment of grade 3 supracondylar fractures in children which could not be reduced by closed manipulation.

Patients and methods?78 children (58 boys) with severely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus and severe swelling were treated with either a minimal incision in the anticubital fossa and manipulation of the distal fragment with the thumb, or a small stab incision and manipulation of the fracture fragment with a small-sized suction tip. The fractures were stabilized with 1.6-mm Kirschner wires.

Results?and interpretation?The outcome after a follow-up of at least 3 years was excellent in 76 cases and poor in 2 cases. No scar contractures or other complications were observed. These techniques seem safe and effective in the treatment of irreducible grade 3 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

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