Objective To investigate the causes and the measures for prevention and management of compl ications of supracondylar fracture of the humerus. Methods In 203 cases of supracondylar fracture of the humerus treated from July
2002 to July 2008, 49 cases had compl ication, whose data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 males and 17 females with an average age of 9 years(range 2-14 years). Fracture was caused by tumble in 38 cases, by fall ing from height in 4 cases, and by traffic accident in 7 cases. All cases were closed fractures. According to Gartland typing for supracondylar fracture of the humerus, there were 10 cases of type II and 39 cases of type III. Compl ications included 21 cases of vascular injuries, 10 cases of neural injuries, and 3 cases of osteofascial compartment syndrome. The time from injury to operation was 1-25 days. Closed reduction was given in 13 cases, closed reduction plus percutaneous K-wire fixation in 21 cases, and open reduction plus K-wire fixation in 15 cases. After reduction, plaster external fixation was performed. The cases of manipulation which blood circulation could not improve underwent incision to exploration of blood vessel. Two cases of neural injuries were treated with incision decompression of epineurium. Three cases of osteofascial compartment syndrome were treated with incision decompression, and the incision was sutured after 7-10 days. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The duration of follow-up was 1-5 years with an average of 3.4 years. Fracture heal ing was achieved within 4-8 weeks. All vascular injuries and 9 cases of neural injures recovered thoroughly. Poor function occurred in 1 case of median nerve injury and Volkmann ischemic contracture in 1 case of osteofascial compartment syndrome. Cubitus varus deformity was found in 11 cases and myositis ossificans in 4 cases within 3 months to 1 year. According to Flynn standard of the function of elbow, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 7
cases, fair in 3 cases, poor in 18 cases. Conclusion Early reduction is the key for prevention of further vascular injury, nerve injury and osteofascial compartment syndrome. Operation is essential when expectant treatment inval id. Satisfactory reduction, good fixation and functional rehabil itation are key points for preventing cubitus varus deformity.
Citation： CHEN Wenyao,LI Xinzhi,ZHENG Zhihe,ZENG Yong,MENG Lin,ZHANG Jianhua,WANG Xianwei,YU Yang.. RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF COMPLICATIONS OF SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE OF HUMERUS IN CHILDREN. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2010, 24(3): 315-318. doi: Copy
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