Is Closed Manipulative Reduction and Percutaneous Kirschner Wiring of Supracondylar Humeral Fracture in Children as Day-Care Surgery a Safe Procedure ?

INTRODUCTION Supracondylar fracture of the humerus is a common injury in children. It accounts for 60% of fractures around the elbow children. If the fracture is not treated properly it may give rise to many complications like malunion, Volkmann's ischemic contracture, nerve injury, arterial injury, skin slough, heterotopic bone formation , and stiffness of elbow. The management of displaced supracondylar fracture of the elbow is one of the most difficult of the many fractures seen in children. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional results of treatment of supracondylar fractures of humerus with closed reduction and percutaneous 'K' wire fixation as a day care procedure and record associated complications, thus decreasing the cost of treating these fractures and hospitalization. METHODS Fifty displaced closed extension type supracondylar fractures (Gartland's type III) of the humerus in children were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires. All the patients selected for this study had been treated in a day care unit and were discharged in the same evening and followed up at 3 and 6 weeks and 3 months. Open fractures, fractures with neurovascular complications and children older than 15 yrs were excluded. The final results were evaluated by Flynn's criteria. RESULTS The majority (72%), of the patients had fracture displaced posteomedially, Fourty one of the fifty patients had satisfactory results. The majority of the patients were male, and the average age was 8-9 years. CONCLUSION Percutaneous fixation of supracondylar humerus done as a day care procedure is an acceptable modality of treatment and reduces the duration of hospital stay for the patient. KEY WORDS Supracondylar humerus, K-wire fixation, day care procedure.