[Old fractures of the lateral humeral condyle (lateralis capitellum humeri) in children].

The authors report their experience of 19 cases of non recent fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children. The delay from the initial trauma to the first clinic was: minimum, 45 days (this delay defines a non recent fracture), maximum 7 years. 18 patients sustained an operation, 15 non-unions and 3 malunions; 1 patient was not operated on. The mean follow-up was about 5 years. The authors have determined two groups of patients according to the delay of treatment, less or more than 6 months. In the first group, 13 procedures out 14 allowed fusion of the condyle without necrosis. In the second group, the severe malalignments of the elbow required a varus or a valgus osteotomy.