THE TREATMENT OF GARTLAND 2 AND 3 SUPRACONDYLAR HUMERUS FRACTURES IN CHILDREN IN EITHER A PRONE OR SUPINE POSITION: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE TREATMENT

AimsComparison of the outcome between the supine or prone positioned child with a supracondylar humerus fracture by measuring anaesthetic and operating time, functional outcomes and complications.MethodsAll children with isolated Gartland 2 and 3 supracondylar humerus fractures were who were admitted to our institute, were asked to participate in the the study. For surgery, the participating children were either operated on in a ‘supine’ or ‘prone’ position. The children were randomly allocated to either the ‘supine’ or ‘prone’ position. The fractures were preferably treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning with k-wires. However, if the fracture proved difficult to reduce, we proceeded to open reduction via medial and lateral approach. All fractures were stabilized with one medial and one lateral k-wire. The children were immobilized in a reinforced above elbow back-slab. Total anaesthetic and surgical time were meticulously recorded. Patients were followed up in our outpatient clinic at one w...