Treatment outcomes analysis in supracondylar humerus fractures in children and adolescents

Abstract

Background. Distal epimetaphyseal humerus fractures in children and adolescents are relatively common injuries, with supracondylar and transcondylar fractures being the most prevalent. Among injuries to the distal humerus, these fractures occur most frequently and are one of the most common household injuries, composing 47.5–80 % of all intra-articular fractures of the elbow in children aged 3–12 years. Poor treatment outcomes range from 6.67 to 18.2 %. The aim is to study a current stage and therapeutic challenges in supracondylar humerus fractures in children and adolescents, and to find out optimal management based on analysis of the long-term treatment outcomes in this category of patients. Materials and methods. A retrospective study of treatment outcomes was conducted in 123 patients with supracondylar humerus fractures in 2019–2021. Average age of patients was 7.38 ± 0.34 years. Targeted clinical and instrumental examination have been performed in all patients. Fracture type was assessed based on AO Pediatric Comprehensive Classification of Long-Bone Fractures (PCCF). Mayo Elbow Performance Score was used to evaluate treatment outcomes. Results. Determining the type of supracondylar humerus fractures using AO PCCF compared to Gartland classification is justified as it allows for a more detailed assessment of the injury, thereby expanding the possibilities for developing individualized treatment strategies. Poor treatment outcomes with reduction + external immobilization constitute 3.7 % of cases, closed reduction + percutaneous fixation + external immobilization — 6.1 %, open reduction + pin fixation + external immobilization — 8.8 %. Conclusions. Supracondylar fractures are one of the most frequent injuries to the distal humerus and mostly occur in boys aged 4 to 9 years (58.3 % of cases). Fractures type II.1 (boys/girls ratio is 33.3/37.3 %) and III.1 (23.7/27.6 %) are dominating. Deepening the knowledge through anatomical and biomechanical studies of the structures with crossed and coronal pins will improve the existing fixation devices and will become the basis for the development of new ones, which will significantly improve treatment outcomes in supracondylar humerus fractures in children and adolescents.