European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Supracondylar humerus fractures are one of the commonest fractures in the paediatric age group. Displaced fractures of these kind, that is, Gartland type III are treated by closed or open reduction and k wire fixation. Cross k wire and lateral wires are the commonest configurations used for fixation. The present study aims to evaluate the difference between the two configurations in terms of surgical technique, functional outcome and complications. Objectives: To compare the functional and radiological outcome of lateral and cross pinning of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures of children METHODOLOGY:This was a prospective comparative study of 40 paediatric patients with supracondylar fracture humerus in the department of Orthopaedics in a Tertiary care Centre after the inclusion & exclusion criteria were met. Immediately after admission , a detailed neurovascular examination was done. Anteroposterior & Lateral Radiographs of the elbow were taken & type of fracture was noted. Informed and written consent was taken from the parent/guardian. Then 20 patients were treated with Lateral K- wire technique  (Group A ) and another 20 patients with Cross K- wire (Group B) pinning technique of fixation. Results: The average follow-up period for patients in lateral K wiring technique  was 12.23 ± 1.9 months while that for patients in cross K wiring technique was 11.26 ± 2.5 months. This difference was not found to be statistically significant.  As per the Flynn criteria, 13 patients in group A had excellent results, 5 patients  had good results and 2 patient  had fair result. In group B, 12 patients had excellent results, 7 patients  had good results and 1 patients (20.0 %) had fair results. No patients in either group had a poor result. Conclusion: Both lateral and cross k wire fixation are similarly effective techniques for stabilising supracondylar humerus fractures, with comparable functional, radiological, and aesthetic results.