To determine the differences in complications between buried versus unburied-k-wire fixation for pediatric lateral condyle fracture

Abstract

Introduction: Operatively treated pediatric lateral humeral condyle fractures require longer period of in-situ k -wire fixation depending upon age, fracture configuration and mode of reduction. After fixation of lateral condyle fracture k-wires can be kept beneath or outside the skin. Aim: To determine the differences in complications between buried versus unburied K-wire fixation in pediatric lateral condyle humeral fractures. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was done in our centre on 50 operatively treated pediatric lateral condyle humeral fractures between January 2017 to Feb 2020. Results: This study included 50 patients among which 35 were males and 15 were females with average age of 7.5 (range 2-15 years). All patients were treated by ORIF and k-wire fixation. In buried group K-wire was kept for 7-12 weeks with average of 8 weeks and in unburied group K-wire was kept 5-9 weeks with average of 7 weeks. Complications like infection, scaring, nonunion, damage of physis due to infection and stiffness was more common in unburied group. Skin erosion, K-wire prominence and requirement of anesthesia was more in buried group. Conclusion: Our study found better results in operatively treated pediatric lateral condyle humerus fractures where k-wires kept beneath skin.