Percutaneous K wire fixation in pediatric lateral condylar fractures of humerus: A prospective study

Abstract Background We evaluated the radiographic and clinical functional results of K-wire fixation in the treatment of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. Materials and methods A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in our hospital during the period December 2010•December 2014. A total number of 85 children (18 girls and 67 boys) mean age 7.76 years; range 2•13 years with displaced (>2 mm) lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. All the patients were treated by close reduction and internal fixation with two K-wires for three weeks. The fractures were classified according to the criteria by Milch and Badelon and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria by Hardacre et al. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range 20•28 months). Results All children achieved union in a mean time of 3 weeks (range from 2.5•6 weeks). Functional results were excellent in 91.75% children and good in 7.05% children. Full range of elbow motion was achieved in all the patients. None of the patients had instability postoperatively. Post-operatively, 5.88% children got pin tract infection, which was superficial and healed after removing pins and oral antibiotic administration. Conclusion Percutaneous K-wire fixation is an effective treatment for unstable displaced lateral condylar fractures of the humerus in children. If fracture displacement after closed reduction exceeds 2 mm, open reduction and internal fixation is recommended.