Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Medial Pinning of Pediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures to avoid Ulnar Nerve Injury.

BACKGROUND

Medial pinning is one of the most controversial aspects of the surgical treatment of supracondylar fractures (SHF) owing to the risk of ulnar nerve injury.

AIM

To evaluate the safety and usefulness of medial pinning for SHF using ultrasound imaging for ulnar nerve visualization.

METHODS

Fifteen children, with a mean age of 60 months, with displaced SHF were treated with a crossed-pinning configuration after fracture reduction. Intraoperative ultrasound was used to guide medial pin insertion to avoid ulnar nerve injury.

RESULTS

Cubital tunnel anatomy was easily identified in all children. All children showed a subluxating ulnar nerve that required elbow extension to about 90º before medial pin insertion. None suffered ulnar nerve dysfunction after using the referred technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Although technically demanding, ultrasound may be a valuable adjuvant to avoid ulnar nerve injury while performing a medial pinning in pediatric SHF.