Comparative study of two techniques of percutaneous pinning of displaced supracondylar humerus fracture

Background: supracondylar fractures of the humerus are very common fractures in paediatric age groups. If displaced, preferred treatment is close reduction with percutaneous K-wire fixation. This study compares the functional outcome of cross K-wires Vs lateral K-wires in Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures in paediatric age groups

Methods: 60 cases of supracondylar fractures of the humerus Gartland type III in children operated with closed reduction and pinning of which 30 were of lateral and 30 were of cross K wire groups from January 2015 to June 2017 with minimum 4 months follow-up period were included.

Results: Functional outcome of the patients was assessed by Flynn’s criteria. Results were excellent 13.33 %, good 40% fair 46.6% in cross K wire group and excellent 6.6 %, good 46.6%, fair 40% and poor 6.6 % in lateral K wire group.

Conclusion: Both lateral entry pin fixation and crossed pin fixation are effective in the treatment of Gartland type III extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.