Abstract :
Byline: Jin Li, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Saroj Rai, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, National Trauma Center, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahankal, Kathmandu, Nepal; Yudong Liu, Department of Emergency, The Tweed Hospital, Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia; Renhao Ze, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Xin Tang, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Ruikang Liu, First School of Clinical Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.; Pan Hong, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China Abstract INTRODUCTION:: Lateral condylar fracture (LCF) of the humerus in children is one of the commonest elbow injuries in children. Early recognition of the problem and appropriate management usually yields satisfactory outcomes. Closed or open reduction with Kirschner-wire (KW) is a cost-effective choice of fixation method for displaced fracture. However, various other methods, including partially threaded cannulated cancellous screw and biodegradable pin (BP), have also been used. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of BP and compare its clinical outcomes with KW. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: Patients with LCF admitted from January 2008 to January 2016 at our institute were reviewed retrospectively. Baseline information and clinical data were collected from Hospital Database. Patients were divided into the KW group and BP group. RESULTS:: In all, 85 patients (male 50, female 35) in the KW group and 76 patients (male 47, female 29) in the BP group were included in this study. The average age of patients in the KW group was 5.2 years, and that of BP was 5.9 years. No nonunion or malunion was observed in either group. At the last follow-up visit, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to elbow function and appearance. The incidence of long-term complications, including avascular necrosis, fishtail deformity, and lateral prominence, showed no significant difference between both the groups. The incidence of hardware prominence was higher in the KW (13/85, 15.6%) than BP (2/76, 2.6%) group (P CONCLUSIONS:: Both KW and BP are safe and effective choices for LCF of the humerus in children. Both the implant designs produce satisfactory and comparable clinical outcomes. However, BP has the advantage of less hardware prominence, no need for hardware removal, and fewer long-term complications.