Cross Pinning Versus Lateral Pinning in the Management of Type III Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children.

INTRODUCTION

Closed reduction of supracondylar humerus fractures with K-wires has become the standard line of management with different opinions regarding the technique that is utilized.

AIM

To compare the functional and radiological outcomes of lateral and cross pinning technique in supracondylar fractures of humerus in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective study with 57 cases of displaced fracture supracondylar humerus, treated by lateral (Group A n=28) and cross pinning (Group B n=29), was conducted between May 2013 and May 2015. Independent sample student's t-test was done to assess the parameters like age, follow-up and duration of surgery. The results were expressed as mean with standard deviation and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

As per the Gartland classification system, 46 (80.7%) patients had Type IIIA and 11 (19.2%) patients had Type IIIB fracture. The average surgical time was 28.3±1.6 minutes in Group A and 30±3.6 minutes in Group B (p=0.02). About, 3.5% patients in Group A had pin loosening. As per the Flynn criteria, 78.6% in Group A and 79.3% in Group B had excellent results.

CONCLUSION

No significant difference in terms of functional and radiological outcome was observed between both the techniques. Thus, both the techniques have equal results.