Gartland Type IIa Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Outcomes of Attempted Nonoperative Management.

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment of Gartland type IIa supracondylar humerus fractures remains controversial. We report the results of a series of patients with type IIa fractures who underwent closed reduction and immobilization using conscious sedation in the emergency department. Our goal was to identify variables associated with fractures that were successfully managed nonoperatively.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who underwent closed reduction of Gartland type IIa supracondylar humerus fractures with the use of conscious sedation in the emergency department. Prereduction and postreduction radiographs were reviewed to determine the degree of fracture extension, anterior humeral line index, Baumann angle, and splint flexion angle. The success of closed reduction was defined as a reduction that was maintained without the need for surgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients (54 elbows) were included in this study. The mean overall age was 5.2±2.5 years. Following the closed reduction in the emergency department, 38 (70%) patients were successfully managed nonoperatively with casting, and 16 (30%) patients required operative intervention. The degree of fracture extension on the injury radiograph was 13.2±8.4 degrees in the nonoperative group compared with 19.8±7.5 degrees in the operative group (P=0.008). The postreduction degree of fracture extension was 3.0±3.4 degrees in the nonoperative group and 10.0±7.2 degrees in the operative group (P<0.0001). The mean anterior humeral line index on the injury radiograph was 0.34 in the nonoperative group and 0.13 in the operative group (P=0.104). The mean anterior humeral line index on the postreduction radiograph was 1.2 in the nonoperative group and 0.38 in the operative group (P=0.0002). Patient age, prereduction and postreduction Baumann angle, and the postreduction splint flexion angle did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Closed reduction under conscious sedation in the emergency department is a viable treatment option for Gartland type IIa supracondylar humerus fractures. Increasing fracture extension on injury radiographs can help predict failure of nonoperative management following closed reduction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III-retrospective comparative study.