Abstract

Background: Supracondylar fracture of humerus is the commonest injury about the elbow in children. Anatomical reduction is required to prevent complications and improve cosmetic appearance.

Objective: To compare the results of the closed reduction and open reduction of the supracondylar fractures of humerus in children.

Materials and Methods: The study was done in all cases of supracondylar fractures in children of 2–15 years of age who visited orthopedic outpatient department and were confirmed with X-ray. They were divided randomly into two groups. Group I children were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, and group II cases were treated with closed reduction. Both the groups were followed up for 6 months and evaluated with X-rays. The results were expressed in mean and percentage.

Result: All the fractures were found to be united clinically and radiologically when X-rays were taken at 5 weeks in group I and at 6 weeks in group II. Only 4% cases in group I and 44% cases in group II resulted in cubitus varus deformity as measured by the carrying angle. Only 16% cases in group I and 48% cases in group II showed unsatisfactory results.

Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation give more stable fixation and better anatomical reduction with negligible complication. Treatment from quacks of supracondylar fracture humerus should be discouraged owing to availability of surgical techniques giving excellent results.

Key words: Baumann’s angle, children, cubitus varus, complication, internal fixation