Comparison of functional outcome and complications in Gartland’s Type III fracture Supracondylar Humerus in paediatric population by different pinning technique

Abstract

Background: Fracture Supracondylar humerus is one among common fracture in children betweenage 5-7 years. Boys are frequently affected than girls. Extension variety is more common. Theconventional approach to treat fracture supracondylar humerus (Type III) is a close reduction withpercutaneous fixation. There have been controversies as to which surgical technique should be used,cross pinning or two-wire lateral pinning. This study aims to find which method of pinning is mostappropriate to fix fracture supracondylar humerus. Method and material: A Retrospectivecomparative study was designed to analyze the outcome of the cross pinning and lateral pinningmethod. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. They were divided into two groups of 30each. Group A comprised of fixation by cross pinning method. Group B comprised of fixation by two-wire lateral pinning method. Results of both groups were analysed about Flynn’s criteria andcomplications. Result: The mean age in Group A was 5.1 years and in Group B was 4.8 years. Onepatient was lost to follow up in Group A. On the final follow up, there was statistically no differencein terms of outcome according to Flynn’s criteria in both groups. According to Flynn’s criteria>95%of patients had a satisfactory outcome in both groups. Among Group A, there were 2 cases ofiatrogenic ulnar nerve praxis whereas in group B there was one case of pin loosening. Conclusion:On comparing both techniques there was no significant difference in the outcome. However, there isa slight increase in the chances of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in the cross pinning method.