Treatment of the Totally Displaced Supracondylar Fracture of the Humerus in Children by Three Crossed K-Wires Fixation

Shim, Jong Sup; Kim, Peel Soo

Abstract

Forty children underwent three crossed K-wires fixation after reduction of the totally displaced supracondylar fracture(type IE ) of the humerus from October 1994 to March 1997, were reviewed. The patients age ranged from 3 years and 2 months to 12 years and 7 months, averaging 6 years and 6 months. Preoperatively, five patients(12.5%) had concomitant nerve injury. Three patients(7.5%) revealed ischemic sign on distal part of the fracture. All the fractures were treated within 24 hours after arrival at the emergency room. After general anesthesia, all but one fractures reduced by closed means. Each reduced fracture was fixed by two parallel K-wires in lateral side followed by one crossed medial K-wire under fluoroscopic control. The preoperative distal ischemia of the three patient restored blood supply within 24 hours after reduction. The K-wires were removed after averaging 3.3 weeks after operation in out patient clinic. Five patients revealed neurologic deficit preoperatively recovered completely within 4 months after reduction of the fractures. The followup period ranged from 12 months to 32 months, averaging 17 months. By Flynns functional and cosmetic criteria, 39 patients(97.5%) among forty patients resulted in satisfactory criteria. The one unsatisfactory patient revealed cubitus varus treated by corrective osteotomy. In conclusion, three crossed K-wires fixation is considered as effective and safe method for the totally displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children.