FRACTURES OF THE LATERAL CONDYLE OF THE HUMERUS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Background: Conservative treatment of fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children
is associated with many problems as noted previously by several authors.
Objective: To determine the outcome of internal fixation of fractures of the lateral hunieral
condyle.
Design: A prospective study.
Setting: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia,
befween 1991 and 1998.
Subjects: Sixteen children with fracture of the lateral humeral condyle. All were admitted
via the Emergency Room and comprised 14 boys and two girls. Ages ranged between two
and 11 years.
Interventions: All the patients had some form of internal fixation. Percutaneous Kirsclhner
K- wire fixation was done for the undisplaced and minimally displaced fractures and open
reduction and K-wire furation for the widely displaced and rotated fractures. One patient
developed non-union of the lateral condyle fracture that required bone grafting and internal
furation with lag screw.
Main outcome measures: Enhancement of union and reduction of complications resulting
from conservative treatment of the fractures.
Results: Out of the sixteen cases, there was one case with a minor degree of mal-uniorn on
account of loose K-wire and one case with non-union following open reduction and
internal fixation.
Conclusion: The authors recommend internal furation of all fractures of the lateral humeral
condyle in children irrespective of the degree of displacement.