[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of humeral supracondylar fractures in pediatric patients in a Regional General Hospital]

Management of Pediatric Humeral Supracondylar Fractures in a Referral Center From a Developing Country: A Comparison With American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Guidelines

Introduction Supracondylar fractures are the predominant type of pediatric elbow fractures. The usual mechanism of injury is falling over the hand with the elbow extended and the hand open. The management of these fractures encompasses a range of treatment options, and their goal is to recover the anatomy and achieve a stable contact area between them. There are some controversies on the management of these injuries mainly focused on those that present some degree of displacement. A review and analysis of the current treatment at our institution and a comparison with the guidelines suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) for the treatment of these fractures in the pediatric population were performed. Materials and methods This was an observational, analytical, retrospective study of consecutive pediatric patients with displaced supracondylar humeral fracture treated at Hospital de Trauma "Manuel Giagni" in Asunción, Paraguay, from January 2016 to December 2021. Demographic and clinical data were assessed, and patients were clinically and radiologically followed for at least 12 months. The management of supracondylar humeral fractures at our hospital was compared with the guidelines suggested by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) by analyzing whether these guidelines were applied in each case. The mechanism of injury was divided into three groups, initial X-rays were measured, extension-type fractures were categorized into three groups, and the type of treatment was divided into two groups: non-operative and operative. Furthermore, trauma-related preoperative complications and postoperative complications were reported. Outpatient follow-up was performed for at least 12 months in all cases. Results Of the 843 patients analyzed, 71.5% were male, with a mean age of 5.6 years. It was observed that 57.5% of injuries were caused by falls on the same level. The most frequent type of injury was Gartland type III, accounting for 55% of the cases, and associated injuries were found in 4% of the cases. With regard to the type of treatment, 91.8% of patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation. Complications on admission were found in 12% of the cases and late complications in 12% of the cases. Most patients (82%) had excellent Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Conclusion Supracondylar fractures were more frequent in males and in schoolchildren. Garland type III fractures were the most common type of injury. The treatment of choice was predominantly closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was excellent in most patients. Our service, a referral center of a public hospital in a developing country, complies with the guidelines recommended by the AAOS.

Epidemiological and Clinical Pattern of Pediatric Supracondylar Fracture of Humerus in A Provincial Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction:

Supracondylar fractures of humerus are the most common elbow fractures in children consisting of about 15% of all pediatric fractures and more than half of all elbow fractures. A high incidence of nerve injures, and vascular injuries make this fracture a serious injury. Our study aims to study on the clinical and demographic pattern of pediatric supracondylar fracture cases presenting in the hospital retrospectively.

Methods:

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Seti Provincial Hospital in the month of December. The data from the medical record section was retrospectively collected. A whole sampling technique was used. The descriptive statistical analysis was done.

Results:

Seven hundred cases were studied, among which the most common age group was found to be 5-10 410 (58.57%). Most of the cases presented in the emergency department 513 (73.28%), and the most common time of presentation was from 3 AM to 6 AM 170 (24.28%).

Conclusions:

Supracondylar fracture cases presented as a common injury among pediatric population. It was presented as an emergency more than general cases.

Comprehensive Analysis of Pediatric Supracondylar Fractures in the Emergency Department; A Single Center Experience

Objective:

To describe the demographic characteristics and to assess possible risk factors related to the moment of presentation at Emergency Department (ED) for pediatric humeral supracondylar fractures.

Methods:

This was cross-sectional study being conducted during 5-year period from 2013 to 2017 at ED of a regional hospital in Spain. We have included all the pediatric patients (<14 years) with supracondylar fractures referring to our center during the study period. The demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics of the patients were recorded. The outcome and treatment strategies were also recorded. The risk factors of the pediatric supracondylar fracture was also assessed in our series.

Results:

We have included 52 pediatric patients with supracondylar fractures in this series. The mean age was 7.48 ± 2.97 years with a minimum age of 2 years and a maximum of 14 years. Among the patients there were 32 (61.54%) male and 20 (38.46%) female. Age less than 7 years found to be a protective factor against unstable fractures [OR 0.33 (0.10 - 1.02)]. Fractures presented during daytime hours showed a greater instability [OR 3.49 (1.07-11.39)]. However, the risk of presentation at nighttime was higher during the summer months (June to September).

Conclusion:

The older is the child, the greater is the risk of suffering an unstable fracture, which increases the need for surgery. This risk is greater during the daytime. Otherwise, during the summer months, there is a higher risk of patient presentation at nighttime.

Is Supine Position Superior to Prone Position in the Surgical Pinning of Supracondylar Humerus Fracture in Children?

BACKGROUND

Supracondylar humerus fracture (SCHF) is a frequent injury in pediatric ages. Closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation is a common treatment of displaced SCHF. Surgery is usually performed in the supine position; otherwise the prone position allows an easier fracture reduction and a safe placement of pins. The aim of study is to compare the clinical and radiographic results of the treatment of displaced SCHF, comparing two different intra-operative positionings.

METHODS

59 SCHF affected children were retrospectively divided into supine (Group 1; n = 34) and prone (Group 2; n = 25), according to intraoperative position. All treated subjects were clinically evaluated according to Flynn's criteria and Mayo Elbow Performance Score, and radiographically, including the measurement of the Baumann angle.

RESULTS

Clinically, Group 1, according Flynn's criteria, had excellent cosmetic outcome in 32 subjects (94.1%). Mean MAYO Score was 96.0 ± 3.8. Group 2, according Flynn's criteria, had excellent cosmetic outcomes in 23 subjects (92.0%). Mean MAYO Score was 97.8 ± 3.3. Radiographically, mean difference of Baumann's angle between the injured limb and the normal limb was 5.5° ± 1.0° in Group 1 and 5.1° ± 1.1° in Group 2.

CONCLUSION

Both supine and prone positioning achieved a satisfying outcome with similar results in joint function recovery and complications.