Supra condylar humerus fractures in children with close reduction and K wire fixation

Background: Supracondylar fractures are the most frequent elbow injuries in children, reported to occur in 55% to 75% of patients with elbow fractures. Objective: This study has been undertaken to observe the results of management of supracondylar fractures by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation and open reduction and K-wire fixation. Methods: Patients selected for this study were children below 12 years with Gartland’s type III fractures who were admitted and treated in the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences between January 2007 & May 2012. Results: Excellent to good results were obtained in about 90% of cases of closed reduction and K wire fixation and excellent to good results in 70% of cases operated by open reduction and K wire fixation. The indication of open reduction remains limited because of risk of stiffness of injury due to iatrogenic soft tissue injury. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation is an effective and safe method of treatment if indicated and is associated with good outcome