Abstract
Purpose Of Study: To evaluate the results and functional outcome of use of three lateral K wires in supracondylar fracture fixation in children.
Methods And Results: It is a prospective study of 25 cases of supracondylar fractures over a period of three years from 2001, in children between 2 to 9 years, comprising of closed manipulation and percutaneous fixation with 3 lateral K wires, all done by the same surgeon.
Patients were immobilised for 3 weeks and K wires removed at that time. They were followed up till they regained full range of movements in the elbow.
Of the 25 cases, 2 were previously fixed with crossed K wires and were revised because of displacement . One patient had a delayed fixation because of gross swelling and was initially managed with traction.
Pin tract infection was noted in one case and responded to antibiotic therapy.
All the patients regained full range of movements and no angulatory deformity or loss of fixation was noted at the end of follow up.
Conclusion: Fixation with three lateral K wires is an excellent technique in treating displaced supracondylar fractures in children.
Honorary Secretary Mr Bimal Singh. Correspondence should be addressed to BOSA (British Orthopaedic Specialists Association), c/o Royal College of Surgeons, 35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
