ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures, and to determine the effects of age of on the number of pins used for osteosynthesis and the surgery techniques for reduction.

149 patients with Gartland type II and type III supracondylar humerus fractures, who were surgically treated in our clinic, were included in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment (open versus closed reduction), and any correlation between the type of reduction and patients’ age was investigated.

There was positive correlation between age and the total number of pins used (p=0.000). Open reduction frequency was higher in older children (p=0.005).

Closed reduction and fixation with 2 K wires (either cross fixation or divergent configuration) is an effective treatment, but for the older children, it is difficult to obtain anatomic fixation with closed reduction, therefore, we need three or more K wires to provide stable fixation.