Management of delayed supracondylar fracture of humerus

Supracondylar fractures of distal humerus are not uncommon in growing children. We present the results of a study performed at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Twenty-eight consecutive cases with supracondylar fractures of humerus, presenting later than two weeks following injury, were reviewed. Ten patients, who showed signs of solid union at the fracture site, were excluded from the study. Eighteen (18) of them presented within 2-8 weeks of the injury. They were internally fixed after refracture and open reduction with smooth Kirschner was done. None had been operated before and a closed reduction had been attempted in some by the traditional bone setters. All cases were operated upon electively using medial approach to the elbow. There were insignificant number of complications after surgery. An excellent range of motion was acquired and good restoration of the carrying angle achieved in all cases. Good or excellent results were achieved in more than 70% of the cases. Our results show that open reduction and internal fixation is a good option in cases that present after a delay of 2-8 weeks following fracture.