Surgical Treatment of Displaced Supracondylar Pediatric Humerus Fractures: Comparison of Two Pinning Techniques

The aim of this study is to report the results of the treatment of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures comparing two different techniques, crossed and lateral pins. We retrospectively reviewed 35 children hospitalized between May 2005 and December 2012. Patients were treated with two different pin configurations, crossed (Group 1) and lateral (Group 2). After surgery, clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed. Postoperatively, the clinical assessment showed recovery of joint function of the elbow. Radiographically, Group 1 showed a difference in the Baumann angle between the value of the injured limb and the normal angle of 5.3° ± 2.12°; in Group 2 the difference was 4.9° ± 2.82°. Complications: group 1, two cases of short paresthesia, one case of slight varus, mild asymmetry, and deficit to extension of the humerus and group 2, two cases of local infection and one of a slight hyperextension were reported. Both groups achieved a satisfying outcome with similar results in joint function recovery and complications.