Pediatric displaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus treated using high strength, bioactive, bioresorbable F-u-HA/PLLA pins: a case report of 8 patients with at least 3 years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this report is to present our surgical technique using forged composites of unsintered hydroxyapatite particles/poly-L-lactide (F-u-HA/PLLA) pins for pediatric displaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus, to retrospectively evaluate clinical outcomes, and to verify the advantages of this device by using postoperative radiographs.

DESIGN

Retrospective (level IV) case series.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PATIENTS

From October 2004 to September 2006, 8 pediatric displaced closed fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus (AO/OTA 13-B1) were treated.

INTERVENTION

Lateral condyle fractures were fixed using 2 threaded pins. All the patients were placed in a long arm cast for 4 weeks after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Radiographic and clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

The average follow-up period was 52.5 months. All fractures were successfully united. All shadows of pins were observed, and there were no radiolucent zones around the pins at the final radiographic follow-up. No patients experienced pain or cosmetic deformity at the most recent follow-up. Loss of reduction, malunion, deep infection, implant failure, osteolysis, skin ulcer, and foreign body reaction were not observed postoperatively. No patient required secondary operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Radioopacity of F-u-HA/PLLA devices is a major advantage of this device. No radiolucent zones were present around the pins, no osteolysis was observed on postoperative radiographs, and there were no postoperative complications. Reoperation for removal was unnecessary. Open reduction, internal fixation using F-u-HA/PLLA pins offers several advantages in treating pediatric displaced fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.