[Comparison of radiation exposure times in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures with open-closed reduction and internal fixation]

Radiation Exposure in The Treatment of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Comparison of Two Fixation Methods

Aim:

The study aims to determine the estimated radiation exposure of two different types of fixation (crossed vs lateral-entry K-wires) for displaced supracondylar fractures at a Major Trauma Centre in London.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed between 2015 and 2019 in children (<16 years old) who underwent either Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP) or open reduction and K wire fixation for a displaced supracondylar fracture (Gartland II, III and IV) of the humerus.

Results:

The overall mean radiation dose and duration with crossed K-wire fixation was statistically lower when compared with two lateral K-wires. The mean radiation dose increased with increasing Gartland Grade - for Gartland Grades II, III and IV respectively.

Conclusion:

The current study showed statistically significant decreased radiation dose in crossed K-wire fixation method, compared to lateral-entry fixation. No difference was found regarding the cosmetic/functional outcome when Flynn’s criteria were applied.

Procedural Outcomes of Double Vs. Single Fluoroscopy for Fixing Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Supracondylar humerus fractures (SHFs) are frequently seen in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to compare single- and double-fluoroscopy methods for the closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) of Gartland type 2 and type 3 SHFs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients who underwent surgery between March 2016 and April 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Twenty-one patients (group 1) who received double fluoroscopy and 19 patients (group 2) who had single fluoroscopy were evaluated. The preparation period, surgical duration, radiation exposure time, fracture types, sex distributions, distribution of sides, radiologic results at the third month, cosmetic and functional results, and the incidence of complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients in group 1 and group 2 was 4.76 and 4.68 years, respectively. The mean preparation time of group 1 was 11.3 min; whereas in group 2, it was 8.7 min (p < 0.01). The mean surgical duration was 31.76 min in group 1, and 40.47 min in group 2 (p < 0.01). The mean radiation exposure time in group 1 and group 2 was 41.19 and 47.36 s, respectively (p = 0.04). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the preparation period, surgical duration, and radiation exposure time. Radiation exposure time and surgical duration were significantly shorter in group 1; the preparation period was shorter in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The double-fluoroscopy technique can significantly reduce surgical duration and radiation exposure time during surgery while treating SHFs of children.

Radiation exposure in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures

PURPOSE

To determine the factors that influence radiation exposure during repair of supracondylar humerus fractures.

METHODS

Medical records of almost 200 children with supracondylar fractures were retrospectively analyzed for variables correlated with fluoroscopy time and radiation dose as measures of radiation exposure.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in fluoroscopy time (27 vs. 22 s p = 0.345) or direct radiation dose (0.394 vs. 0.318 mSv p = 0.290) between uniplanar and biplanar C-arm use. No statistically significant differences in fluoroscopy time or radiation dose were found for surgical technique, comorbid ipsilateral fractures, preoperative neurovascular compromise, or resident participation. There was a significant 8.3 s increase in fluoroscopy time (p = 0.022) and 0.249 mSv increase in radiation dose (p = 0.020) as the fracture type increased from II to III. An increase in one pin during CRPP resulted in a statistically significant 10.4 s increase in fluoroscopy time and a 0.205 mSv increase in radiation dose. There were significant differences between the physician with the lowest fluoroscopy time and radiation dose compared with the physicians with the two highest values for both fluoroscopy time and radiation dose (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no significant difference in direct radiation exposure or fluoroscopy time when comparing biplanar to uniplanar C-arm use, resident participation, preoperative neurovascular compromise, or for comorbid ipsilateral fractures. Both outcomes increased significantly as fracture type increased from II to III and as the number of pins used during CRPP increased. Both outcomes were significantly different between the surgeons performing CRPP.

Radiation Exposure During Operative Fixation of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Is Lead Shielding Necessary?

BACKGROUND

Factors that impact radiation exposure during operative fixation of pediatric supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures have been investigated; however, no studies have measured the equivalent dose at the patient's radiosensitive organs. Our hypothesis was that intraoperative fluoroscopy exposes pediatric patients to a significant radiation load and lead shielding of radiosensitive organs is important. The goal of the study was to quantify the patient's radiation exposure during the procedure by measuring the radiation load at the thyroid and gonads.

METHODS

A prospective quality improvement project of radiation exposure during percutaneous fixation of isolated SCH fractures was performed over a 4-week period. The c-arm image intensifier was used as the operating table and radiation dosimeters were positioned over the thyroid and gonadal lead shields. Fluoroscopy times were recorded, doses were calculated, and the dosimeters were analyzed. To assure that the prospective cohort was representative of a larger population of SCH fractures, demographics and fluoroscopy time of the prospective cohort were compared with a 12-month retrospective cohort in which dosimetry was not performed.

RESULTS

Prospective cohort-18 patients with type 2 (8) and type 3 (10) fractures were prospectively studied with intraoperative measurement of thyroid and gonadal radiation equivalent doses. Mean age was 4.9 years (1.9 to 9.5 y) and mean weight was 21.4 kg (13.1 to 33.5 kg). Mean fluoroscopy time was 65.0 seconds (25.3 to 168.4 s), and absorbed skin dose at the elbow was 0.47 mGy (0.18 to 1.21 mGy). The radiation dosimeters overlying the thyroid and gonads measured minimal radiation indicating equivalent doses of <0.01 mSv for all patients in the prospective cohort.Retrospective cohort-163 patients with type 2 (60) and type 3 (103) fractures were retrospectively studied. The mean age was 5.5 years (0.02 to 13.7 y) and weight was 21.6 kg (2.0 to 71.9 kg). Mean fluoroscopy time was 74.1 seconds (10.2 to 288.9 s), and absorbed skin dose at the elbow was 0.53 mGy (0.07 to 2.07 mGy).There were no statistically significant differences between the cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

The smaller prospective cohort had fluoroscopy times and radiation doses that were not statistically different from the larger retrospective cohort, suggesting that the dosimeter measurements are representative of intraoperative radiation exposure during fixation of pediatric SCH fractures. The equivalent dose to the thyroid and gonads was minimal and approximates daily background radiation. Shielding of radiosensitive organs is appropriate when practical to minimize cumulative lifetime radiation exposure, particularly in smaller patients and when longer fluoroscopy times are anticipated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 2.

Comparison of the lateral and posterior approaches in the treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures

This study explored the radiological, functional, and cosmetic results of treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures with open reduction and percutaneous pinning, comparing posterior triceps V-splitting (group I, n=22) and lateral (group II, n=25) approaches. The time to union, the functional and cosmetic results, and the flexor and extensor muscle strengths were measured and compared with the contralateral extremities. There were no statistical differences between the groups. The V-splitting posterior approach is as safe and effective as the lateral approach in the surgical treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.

The Influence of Resident Level of Training on Fluoroscopy Time in Pediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures Treated with Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of resident level of training on fluoroscopy duration in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP). Methods After classifying the surgeons according to their seniorities, the duration of fluoroscopy time of 80 patients with extension type III supracondylar fractures during reduction and pinning was recorded. Results The time duration of reduction procedures was similar in all groups with respect to the surgical experience; however, time durations of percutaneous pinning procedures were found statistically different between groups (p=0.042). Conclusion Surgical experience is very important in the management of supracondylar humeral fractures in children, especially in percutaneous pinning rather than closed reduction.

Ipsilateral supracondylar humerus fracture and Monteggia lesion with a 5-year follow-up: a rare injury in a young girl

Although elbow injuries and fractures of the forearm are common in children, the combination of these injuries is rare. We present a case of a 5-year-old patient with a concomitant ipsilateral supracondylar humerus fracture and Monteggia lesion. After physical and radiographic examination of the injured extremity in the emergency department, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning were performed under image intensifier under general anaesthesia. A long-arm cast was applied for postoperative immobilisation. Excellent radiological and functional outcomes were obtained at the end of 1-year follow-up and no deformity was observed at 5-year follow-up.

A new joystick technique for unsuccessful closed reduction of supracondylar humeral fractures: minimum trauma

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare operation duration, radiological and functional results of the open reduction with either posterior or lateral approach and closed reduction with joystick method in unsuccessful closed reduction of displaced (Gartland type III) supracondylar humeral fractures.

METHODS

Between February 2010 and August 2011, 37 patients who were not obtained satisfactory reduction with classic closed reduction attempts for three times in operating room were included in this study. Patients were treated with three different surgical methods. Group I have 13 patients who had joystick and lateral K-wire-assisted closed reduction, group II have 12 patients who had open reduction by lateral approach, and group III have 12 patients who had open reduction by posterior approach. In final follow-up, AP and lateral radiographs of both elbows were taken and bilateral Baumann angles, lateral humerocapitellar angles, carrying angles, and elbow range of motion were measured. These angles and operation times compared between the groups. The functional and cosmetic outcome of surgery was evaluated by criteria of Flynn et al.

RESULTS

There was no statistical significance difference between Baumann angles, lateral humerocapitellar angles, and carrying angles of fractured and uninjured sides in between three groups (respectively, p = 0.761, p = 0.354, p = 0.750). In group I, operation duration is shorter than the other groups. Functional scoring showed that in group I and group II, all patients have satisfactory results; however, in group III, three patients (25%) had poor results. In the perspective of cosmetic results, all three groups have satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONS

When classical closed reduction fail, lateral joystick and K-wire-assisted reduction is a useful way to make and maintain the reduction. Functional and radiological results are as good as lateral and posterior open approaches. Short operation time is an advantage. This method reduces the risk of complications due to repeated closed reduction and open reduction in unsuccessful closed reduction in pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.