Abstract
Aim
We evaluated the outcome of conservative versus surgical treatment in lateral humeral condyle fractures in children. The management in some of these fractures remains controversial, ultimately relying upon the individual practitioner.
Methods
We identified 73 children who sustained such fractures, with varying degrees of displacement, during the period between April 2006 and October 2011.
Results
There were 41 boys and 32 girls. The mean age at the time of injury was 5.2 years (range 0.84–11.92). According to Milch's classification, there were 4 type I and 69 type II fractures. Undisplaced fractures (Jakob grade I, n= 30) were almost universally treated conservatively (n=29) whilst all severely displaced fractures (Jakob grade III, n= 15) were treated surgically, by closed or open reduction and k-wires or screws. However, the protocol differed for those fractures displaced 2–3 mm (Jakob grade II) and was mainly based on surgeon's preferences and clinical examination. Fifteen of 28 (53.57%) were initially treated in plaster whilst 13 (46.43%) were operated upon. Two of the former (2/18 or 11.11%), plus one minimally displaced (1/30 or 3.33%), required subsequent surgical fixation. One of the k-wire fixations was revised into a compression screw due to the fracture not uniting after 4 weeks. Other complications after treatment included fourteen mal-unions (2 after conservative and 12 after surgical treatment). There was no avascular necrosis or deep infection in this series.
Conclusion
Although surgical treatment has been advocated as the gold standard for all displaced fractures, some initially displaced fractures may be stable and go on to heal in plaster with an acceptably low conversion rate. However, this requires close follow-up and careful examination to indicate surgical treatment if healing does not occur, or there is further fracture displacement.
