Postoperative evaluation of children and adolescents submitted to surgical reduction of lateral humeral condillary fracture

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: this article’s purpose is to evaluate the post-operatory evolution of patients under 16 years old who have undergone surgical reduction for lateral humerus condylar fracture in a Brazilian hospital between 2015 and the first semester of 2020. METHODS: this is an observational and description study, with secondary data collected from the hospital’s medical records and a quantitative approach. RESULTS: Males were the most prevalent 65.6%, and the median age was 5 years. The left arm was the most affected 55.2%. 69% (20 cases) were affected by a fall from standing height, and 31% had a fall from other heights. Regarding the synthesis type used in the fractures, 69.0% were fixed with K-wire, 20.7% with a screw + K-wire, and 10.3% with screws. The complications observed were osteophytes, 10.3%; osteonecrosis, 10.3%; pseudarthrosis, 3.4%; fish tail deformity, 3.4%; cubitus varus, 3.4%. 65,5% had a preserved ROM (>90º) after consolidation, and 34.5% had limited ROM (<90º), requiring physiotherapy. The median age of patients who used K-wire was 6 years, the mean age was 6.9 years for screw, or screw + K-wire. 88.9% of patients who had complications had limited ROM (<90°). 89.5% of patients who did not present complications had the ROM preserved (>90º). CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to associate the existence of complications to the reduction of the range of motion and there was no significant difference in approach related outcomes among the different fracture classifications. A possible inference is that the adequate use of techniques, regardless of the chosen approach, avoids range of motion restrictions and complications.