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Crossed pin method provided more stability than lateral pin method for supracondylar humeral fractures
Results from this study demonstrated the use of a crossed pin configuration to treat supracondylar humeral fractures in pediatric patients provided more stability than a lateral pin configuration.
In their prospective, randomized controlled trial, researchers studied 60 children with supracondylar humeral fractures. Patients had a mean age of 5.1 years and a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Thirty patients were treated using a crossed pin fixation configuration and the other 30 were treated using a lateral pin configuration. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 1 week, 3 weeks to 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months. Investigators compared the groups with regard to postoperative stability, ulnar nerve injury, range of motion and pin tract infection.
Radiographic results showed the cross pin method was stable in all patients compared with the lateral pin method, in which 20% of cases showed less stability due to distal fragment rotation (five patients) and posterior displacement (one patient). Investigators noted one patient managed with the lateral pin method had ulnar nerve neuropraxia; however, this patient recovered 4 months after surgery.
Two months after wire removal, 10 patients did not fully regain their range of motion. Of these patients, eight regained their motion after physiotherapy. Two patients in the lateral group continued to lose 10° of elbow flexion until the end of follow-up. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.