1Professor and HOD, Department of Orthopaedics, IGIMS, Patna
2Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, IGIMS, Patna
Lateral condyle humerus fractures are the most common distal humeral epiphyseal fracture. They are associated with relatively high rate of complications and the results of non-operative management are not always good. Sooutcomes of K-wire removal at three weeks of lateral condyle fractures of humerus in children was done.
All patients aged below fourteen years with traumatic fractures of the lateral condyle fracture of humerus presenting to the Department of Orthopaedics, IGIMS giving written consent for the trial were included in the study. Fractures more than seven days old were excluded. After open reduction and internal fixation the k-wire removed at three weeks. The clinico-radiological outcomes were evaluated for infection and radiological union. Collected data were evaluated and various statistical tests applied. P-value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant.
We found no significant difference in comparison of union with different age groups as done in previous studies. Four patients developed skin infection which on continued antibiotics and regular dressing got treated. Three patients did not show radiological union at the expected time of k-wire removal and all the cases were above ten years of age.
Our study has shown that fracture of lateral condyle of humerus united earlier than 6 weeks and shows no significant difference in short term outcome of K-wire and back slab removal at 3 weeks regarding union and infection.
Lateral condyle, humerus, children, k-wire
