Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Although various treatment options have been described for treating this injury, in our study common types of treatment methods for 132 Gartner Type III supracondylar humerus fractures are examined. Cross pinning and Lateral Pinning (Lateral Divergent or Dorgan’s Lateral pinning) methods are included and fluoroscopy time, reduction time and pinning time are examined among other parameters.

METHODS

From January 2013 to January 2014 we retrospectively collected all childeren between 2 and 12 of age who had surgery for Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fracture in 12h time after the injury. From 132 patients, 68 patients were in cross pinning group and 64 patients were in lateral pinning group which was consising of 31 patients in divergant pinning and 34 patients in Dorgan's group. Minimum follow up time was 6 month after surgery and operation time, fluoroscopy time, reduction time, pinning time, neurovascular status of the extremity before and after treatment, Flynn criteria and postoperative complications are examined among other parameters.

RESULTS

Both groups had satisfactory results according to Flynn criteria. Lateral pinning tecniques significantly took more pinning time to have final pinning configuration than cross pinning group (p: 0,007). Although fluoroscopy time and total surgery time were longer in lateral pinning tecnique, it wasn't statistically significant. In subgroup analysis there weren't any statistically difference in any compared parameter between lateral divergent pin placement and Dorgan's lateral pin placement. Two patients, who were treated with cross pinning tecnique had ulnar palsy which completely resolved conservatively at fifth month postoperatively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

It takes more attempt thus more time to achieve good configuration when lateral pinning methods are sellected to treat gartland type 3 injuries. In the other hand iatrojenic ulnar nerve injury is a problem with cross pinning technique.