Safe Technique for Closed Reduction of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fracture

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most commonly diagnosed elbow fractures in children. Severely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children are challenging injuries to treat. Aim of work was to evaluate joystick technique for closed reduction of pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture and fixing it by k-wires according to clinical and radiological results during follow up. In this study, 20 patients (12 females, 8 males) aged from three to eight years who had supracondylar fractures and reduced by joystick technique and operated upon by closed reduction and pin fixation at Al-Zahraa university hospital, Cairo and Al Mahalla general hospital and followed up for an average 9 months. Among the 20 patients, four of them had superficial pin tract infection treated by course of antibiotics with dressing, one patient had mild loss of reduction, but it was stable, so it was left as it and another one had hyperextension of the elbow less than two degrees, so we delayed exercise of the elbow till complete healing. Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children continue to possess treatment challenges for the surgeon. CRIF through joystick technique versus other techniques seems to be the hot topic of debate. This study concluded that treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children in age group 3- 8 years) by joystick technique for closed reduction and fixation with K- wires if placed with proper technique is a stable method of fixation.