Fixation of Lateral Humeral Condyle by Screw in Children

Abstract

Background: fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus represent the second most common type of fracture of the elbow in children. Although this injury is seen at all ages, it is predominately observed in children aged between 5 and 10 years. These injuries are typically the result of an avulsion of a portion of the humeral condyle by pull of the extensor musculature due to a varus force on a supinated forearm or by the direct force of the radial head onto the condyle in the setting of a fall and axial load through an extended elbow. Objective: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of fixation of lateral humeral condyle by screw in children by assessment of time to full union, range of motion, and percentage of complications according to Hardacre criteria. Patients and Methods: a randomized prospective interventional study aiming at evaluating of open reduction and fixation of lateral humeral condyle by screw. Our series was conducted in Wadi El- Natroun hospital in the period from February 2017 to December 2017; 15 patients with pediatric lateral condyle fractures cases operated with open reduction internal fixation by partially serrated 4.0 o. Mean follow up was 6.8 months. Results: we compared our results with the results of the studies in literature, which used screw fixation in management of pediatric lateral condyle fracture. Conclusion: the current follow-up is insufficient to determine whether growth disturbance may be problematic. One other important consideration when screw fixation is utilized is the additional cost of a secondary procedure for screw removal and the medulla of children is small which may lead to the screw crosses the olecranon fossa.