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PURPOSE: To report the functional results of our experience and to describe intraoperative findings and complications due to the techniques used in our service. METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2022, 27 Pediatric patients aged from 8 to 16 years underwent surgery to treat proximal humerus fractures. Their demographic characteristics were evaluated, as well as their clinical characteristics on admission, type of reduction (closed/open), presence of interposition in open reductions, type of implant, complications, and functional range of movement according to two shoulder functional scores. RESULTS: Mean age was 11.2 years (8-15), there was a predominance of males, who accounted for 70% of the cases, and sports accidents were the cause of injury in 44% of the cases. Anatomical location was balanced between patients, including 55% of physeal fractures and 45% of metaphyseal ones. Overall, 81.5% of patients required open reduction to achieve axis correction, and that 55.5% of fractures were fixed with Kirschner wires, and 44, 4% with elastic titanium nails. Mean QuickDASH score was 0.58 (0-1.7), and Constant score was 9 (3-24). There were no major complications, but 27% of cases subjected to open reduction presented a hypertrophic scar. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of severely displaced proximal humerus fractures is successful, both with closed and open reduction; type of implant does not play a key role and should be selected based on the characteristics of each case. Surgical training should prevail at the time of decision-making. When these recommendations are followed, results can be excellent and sequelae are infrequent.
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Objective To compare the use of cannulated screws and smooth Kirschner wires in terms of reducing the presence of exuberant callus and complications in pediatric displaced fractures of the lateral humeral condyle. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of consecutive cases was conducted from May to October 2021 with 30 children with displaced external humeral condyle fractures. The functional results regarding pain and range of motion were stratified using the Dhillon grading system. Results A total of 19 patients underwent Kirschner wire fixation, and 11 underwent cannulated screw fixation. Closed fixation was performed in 14 cases (47%), and open fixation, in 16 (53%). Of the cases included, there was no loss to follow-up. Te sample was composed of 21 (70%) male patients, and the age ranged from 5 to 15 years, with a mean of 6.96 years. The most frequent cause of fracture was fall from height (50%), which was related to greater displacement on baseline radiographs. Complications that were not related to the reduction approach or the implant used were observed in 12 (40%) cases. Conclusion The present study shows no benefits in relation to the use of smooth pins or cannulated screws to reduce the presence of exuberant callus in the consolidation of the fracture. We see that the complications that arise are related to the severity of the injury, and benefits cannot be identified in the choice of one implant over another. We could see that the Weiss classification helps to define the behavior in favor of open or closed reduction without interfering in kindness of the smooth pin or the cannulated screw for fracture fixation.
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Abstract Objective To compare the use of cannulated screws and smooth Kirschner wires in terms of reducing the presence of exuberant callus and complications in pediatric displaced fractures of the lateral humeral condyle. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of consecutive cases was conducted from May to October 2021 with 30 children with displaced external humeral condyle fractures. The functional results regarding pain and range of motion were stratified using the Dhillon grading system. Results A total of 19 patients underwent Kirschner wire fixation, and 11 underwent cannulated screw fixation. Closed fixation was performed in 14 cases (47%), and open fixation, in 16 (53%). Of the cases included, there was no loss to follow-up. Te sample was composed of 21 (70%) male patients, and the age ranged from 5 to 15 years, with a mean of 6.96 years. The most frequent cause of fracture was fall from height (50%), which was related to greater displacement on baseline radiographs. Complications that were not related to the reduction approach or the implant used were observed in 12 (40%) cases. Conclusion The present study shows no benefits in relation to the use of smooth pins or cannulated screws to reduce the presence of exuberant callus in the consolidation of the fracture. We see that the complications that arise are related to the severity of the injury, and benefits cannot be identified in the choice of one implant over another. We could see that the Weiss classification helps to define the behavior in favor of open or closed reduction without interfering in kindness of the smooth pin or the cannulated screw for fracture fixation.
Resumo Objetivo Comparar o uso de parafusos canulados e de fios de Kirschner lisos em termos da redução da presença de calo exuberante e de complicações em fraturas pediátricas deslocadas do côndilo lateral do úmero. Métodos Um estudo analítico transversal de casos consecutivos foi realizado de maio a outubro de 2021 com 30 crianças com fraturas deslocadas de côndilo umeral externo. Os resultados funcionais para dor e amplitude de movimento foram estratificados utilizando o sistema de classificação Dhillon. Resultados Ao todo, 19 pacientes foram submetidos à fixação de fio Kirschner, e 11 à fixação de parafusos canulados. A fixação realizada foi fechada em 14 casos (47%) e aberta em 16 (53%). Dos casos incluídos, não houve perda no acompanhamento. A amostra continha 21 (70%) pacientes do sexo masculino, e a idade variou de 5 a 15 anos, com média de 6,96 anos. A causa mais frequente de fratura foi queda de altura (50%), e esteve relacionada ao maior deslocamento nas radiografias da linha de base. Complicações que não estavam relacionadas à abordagem de redução ou ao implante utilizado foram observadas em 12 (40%) casos. Conclusão Este estudo não mostra benefícios em relação ao uso de pinos lisos ou de parafusos canulados para reduzir a presença de calo exuberante na consolidação da fratura. Vemos que as complicações que surgem estão relacionadas à gravidade da lesão, e não é possível identificar benefícios na escolha de um implante ou outro. Pudemos ver que a classificação de Weiss ajuda a definir o comportamento em favor da redução aberta ou fechada sem dar preferência ao pino liso ou ao parafuso canulado para a fixação da fratura.
