Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children; a long-term follow-up study.

The late anatomical and functional results of the conservative treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures were retrospectively studied in 87 children. The average follow-up was 14.5 years; 59 percent of the patients were treated with overhead traction and 32 per cent with a plaster of Paris. The average hospitalization time was 17 days. Rereduction was necessary in 23 patients; 16 of them were primarily treated with overhead traction. The overall results according to Høyer's criteria were good to excellent in 83 per cent of all cases. These results were comparable with other series with long-term follow-up. Cubitus varus was the most common late complication. Incomplete reduction seems to be the most important cause of this complication.