Comparison of clinical results of closed reduction - percutaneous pinning and open reduction-internal fixation in pediatric patients with supracondylar humeral fractures

In this study, the clinical results, complication rates, and functional outcomes of two different treatment methods of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures were evaluated retrospectively. The study was started after getting ethics committee approval. Pediatric patients with supracondylar humeral fractures who were treated surgically, in Department of Orthopedics, University of Gaziantep between May 2008 – May 2014, were included in the study. Thirty patients who underwent open surgery were included in group I, thirty patients who underwent closed reduction and pinning were included in group II. Mean age of patients was 5.6 (2-12). 60 % of patients was male (36), 40 % of patients was female (24). All patients were operated under general anesthesia. Tourniquet was applied to proximal humerus for all patients, but used only for open reduction. Fluoroscopy was used during closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Also fluoroscopy was used for all patients after open reduction and pinning. Operation time, fluoroscopic images, early and late complications, reoperation rates, hospitalization period and functional outcomes according to Flynn Criteria were evaluated for all patients. Iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury was found in one patient in closed reduction and percutan pinning group. Functional evaluation was performed by Flynn Criteria, where normal elbow was the control. 96.6% excellent and good results were found in open reduction and pinning group. 93.2% excellent and good results were found in closed reduction and pinning group. In conclusion, no statistically significiant difference was found for those two different treatment methods. So we think that experience of the surgeon should be the determinant factor in preference of the technique to be used.