Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children: analysis of the results in 142 patients

One hundred forty-two children who had supracondylar humerus fractures and who were treated either by open reduction and internal fixation or by closed methods were reviewed. There were 104 boys and 38 girls. Their ages ranged between 2 and 14 years, with an average age of 8 years. One hundred thirteen of the fractures were of the extension type and 29 were of the flexion type. Sixty-two patients were treated by manipulative reduction and immobilization in a plaster of Paris cast, and 20 were treated by overhead skeletal traction followed by the application of a plaster of Paris cast. The other 60 patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The follow-up period ranged from 4 years to 11 years, with an average of 7.5 years. The results were evaluated based on the range of motion, the subsequent deformity, if any, and the carrying angle. In the overall series we had 72 (50.70%) excellent, 31 (21.83%) good, 13 (9.15%) fair, and 26 (18.30%) poor results.