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Reduction and stabilization of acute, displaced supracondylar fractures of distal humerus in children using the Sauvé-Kapandji technique

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Abstract

Objectives

Paediatric displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus are unstable injuries and if not reduced and stabilized in optimal position can lead to serious residual deformity. We report the results of reduction and stabilization of displaced supracondylar fractures using the Sauvé-Kapandji technique.

Material and methods

Eight males and five females, age ranging from 2 to 8 years with acute extension-type displaced supracondylar fractures of distal humerus, treated between January 2009 and March 2011 in our department were included in the study. The fracture was reduced using the Sauvé-Kapandji technique. The first wire was passed posteriorly through the fracture site under fluoroscopic control and was used to reduce the fracture. The fracture was then stabilized with two or three cross Kirschner wires, passed percutaneously under X-ray control.

Results

Each patient was followed up for 2 months to 1 year. There was clinical and radiological evidence of healing at 6 weeks postoperatively in all cases. One patient had neurapraxia of anterior interosseous nerve and made full recovery. All patients except for one had full range of movements at the elbow joint at 6 weeks. One patient had loss of 15° extension but gained full range of movements at 1-year review. All patients had normal carrying angle, and no gunstock deformity was noted. All patients had normal function at the elbow joint at the final follow-up visit.

Conclusion

The management of acute, displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children using the Sauvé-Kapandji technique has shown excellent results in terms of healing of the fracture and functional outcome. We recommend this technique as an alternative in cases of encountering difficulties in fracture reduction prior to proceed with open reduction.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK

    Muhammad Zahid Saeed, H. A. Mann & Nicholas Goddard

  2. Orthopaedic Department, North Middlesex University Hospital, London, UK

    Ioannis Aktselis

  3. Orthopaedic Department, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Harlow, Essex, UK

    K. H. Sunil Kumar

  4. 10 Stansgate Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QZ, UK

    Muhammad Zahid Saeed

Authors
  1. Muhammad Zahid Saeed
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  2. Ioannis Aktselis
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  3. H. A. Mann
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  4. K. H. Sunil Kumar
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  5. Nicholas Goddard
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Correspondence to Muhammad Zahid Saeed.

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Saeed, M.Z., Aktselis, I., Mann, H.A. et al. Reduction and stabilization of acute, displaced supracondylar fractures of distal humerus in children using the Sauvé-Kapandji technique. Eur Orthop Traumatol 6, 261–266 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-015-0309-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12570-015-0309-z

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