Abstract
In this study we compared the results of patients with displaced supracondylar humeral fractures who had been treated with all lateral cross-wire and medio-lateral cross-wire fixation techniques. Only the 139 patients who were able to attend the final examination were included in the assessment. The patients were allocated retrospectively into two groups according to the pin configuration used. Group 1 comprised 75 patients, 60 male and 15 female, with a mean age of 7.5 years (range, 1.5–14 years). After closed reduction, fixation was achieved with crossed K-wires placed from the lateral condyle and lateral humerus towards the medial epicondyle. Care was taken so that the end of the K-wire passing from the lateral humerus did not protrude excessively at the level of the medial epicondyle. Group 2 comprised 64 patients, 54 males and ten females, with a mean age of 7.8 years (range, 2–13 years). After closed reduction, two cross-wires passed—one from medial and one from lateral. In group 1 there was no postoperative iatrogenic nerve damage whereas in group 2 iatrogenic ulnar nerve damage developed in six (9%) patients. On statistical evaluation, a significant difference was seen between the two groups. According to Flynn’s criteria, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion, the lateral cross-wire fixation technique may be a good choice in the treatment of paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures as it reduces the possibility of ulnar nerve damage and achieves the same level of stabilisation as medio-lateral fixation.
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The authors did not receive any grants or outside funding in support of their research or preparation of this manuscript. The authors did not have any financial and personal relationships with other people or organisations that could inappropriately influence (bias) their work.
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Memisoglu, K., Cevdet Kesemenli, C. & Atmaca, H. Does the technique of lateral cross-wiring (Dorgan’s technique) reduce iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury?. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 35, 375–378 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-010-1090-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-010-1090-9