156 consecutive children with supracondylar fracture humerus were reviewed. Of these, 56 children with severely displaced fractures were treated with side arm traction. A retrospective review revealed that a mean post-reduction Baumann angle of 74.2 degrees for boys and 75.9 degrees for girls; and mean post-reduction humero-ulna angle of 11.6 degrees for boys and 12.7 degrees for girls was achieved. A linear correlation was noted between the duration of traction and the age of the patient, older patients requiring longer traction. The region below the line in the graph, plotting the duration of traction (y-axis) versus the age of the patient (x-axis) shows when the fracture is unstable; and the region above the line shows when the fracture is stable and can only be reduced by surgery. 10 children presented late; 6 presented within the unstable period and were successfully reduced with traction; while 4 presented stable and required open reduction. We conclude that traction is an acceptable and safe method for reduction of this fracture, and can be used to reduce late presentations while their fractures are still unstable.
Thirty-nine displaced fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children were followed for an average of 5 (2-5) years. The results were evaluated from functional and cosmetic aspects. Patients treated within 2 weeks by open reduction and internal fixation did well. Those operated on after 6 weeks did not do better than nonoperated on cases. Complications included cubitus varus and valgus deformities, osteonecrosis, nonunion and malunion, and loss of motion. We recommend that patients presenting late be left alone and any sequelae evaluated at a late stage.
The displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children (Gartland type 3) is a most challenging injury to treat. There is controversy regarding the initial treatment either closed manipulation and splint immobilization or open reduction and internal fixation. This is a retrospective study comparing two groups of patients with displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus (Gattland 3) treated in the Orthopaedic Unit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The first group, 13 patients treated with closed reduction and splint immobilization and a second group, 15 patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation as initial definitive treatment. The results showed a high failure rate of closed reduction and splint immobilization. This was due to difficulty in reduction, loss of reduction post operatively or during follow-up. Open reduction and internal fixation was more advantages with reduced hospitalization time, fewer complications, more stable fixation and better anatomical reduction with minimal complications for type 3 supracondylar fracture of humerus. We would recommend that all Gartland 3 supracondylar fracture of the humerus be treated with open reduction and two K-wire fixation.
AIM: To study the outcome of gradual reduction by skin traction of supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children with swollen elbow, who seek treatment two days or longer after the injury.
METHOD: Fifteen children aged between 4 and 11 years (average 7 years 11 months), who had initially consulted a traditional practitioner, reported between 2 and 21 days (average 7.5) after the injury were treated by skin traction with the elbow kept straight and the forearm in position of comfort.
RESULTS: The average duration of stay in hospital was 14 days. All fractures healed; there was no incidence of myositis ossificans or neurovascular deficit. All patients had functional range of movements at the elbow within 6 months. Five patients developed cubitus varus deformity greater than 5 degrees, they were classified as poor result. Four out of these 5 patients had sought treatment after a delay of 7 days or longer. There were 9 good (60%), 1 fair (7%) and 5 poor (33%) results.
CONCLUSION: Gradual reduction by skin traction is safe. It is possible to achieve satisfactory reduction if the delay is up to 7 days. The results with regards to deformity and function were comparable with those obtained following open or closed Kirschner wire fixation.
We present a rare case of a patient with concurrent fat embolism and pulmonary embolism, in a closed femur fracture with patent foramen ovale (PFO). A 24-year-old man was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a closed left midshaft femur fracture. He developed fat embolism syndrome (FES) on day 3 of admission, and plating was performed. The D-dimer concentration was also high, which raised the suspicion of pulmonary artery embolism. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) revealed right inferior lobar pulmonary artery embolism and FES. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TEE) was performed, which showed a PFO. The presence of a PFO in patients with pulmonary embolism increases the risk of systemic embolism. Therefore, we recommend the routine echocardiogram for patients with pulmonary embolism to exclude any cardiac defect in causing right-to-left shunts, which predisposes the patient to paradoxical embolism.
Out of 218 fractures of humeral shaft treated in the department, 23 (10.5%) of them developed non-union. 14/23 (60.9%) fracture were located in middle third. Transverse (52.2%), short oblique (17.4%) and comminuted fracture (13.0%) constituted about 82% of all initial fracture pattern. Twelve cases (52.5%) were initially treated with hanging cast. Radial nerve palsy occurred in 4/23 (17.4%) of patient and all of them located at lower third of humerus and only one recovered after eight weeks of injury. Factors such as middle third comminuted opened fractures, soft tissue interposition, improper immobilization and poor patient compliance were found to be directly associated with the non-union. All non-unions healed following plating and bone grafting. Overall 17/23 patient (74%) had good results, 4/23 (17%) fair and 2/23 (9%) with poor functional results.