OBJECTIVESTo research the effects of supracondylar fractures of humerus treated by three different surgical methods.

METHODSThere were 103 patients with supracondylar fractures of humerus including 58 male and 45 female. The age was from 3 to 12 years old with the average of 7.4 years. To divide the cases into three groups by the operative approach in the humerus, the inside approach were in 37 cases (group A), the outside in 35 cases (group B) and the rear in 31 cases (group C). Comparing the reduction of the stretching and bending function of elbow joint and incidence of elbow varus.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up for 1.5 to 8 years after operation with the average of 32 months. The reduction of stretching and bending function of elbow joint occurrenced in 6 cases in group A, 6 cases in group B and 25 cases in group C, the incidenc of group C were obvious more than group A and B (P < 0.01). The elbow varus occurred in 8 cases in group A, 17 cases in group B and 7 cases in group C, the incidence of group B were obviously more than group A and C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere are different effects between three kinds of operative approaches in the humerus. The incidence of outside group is higher on the varus of elbow. The incidence of rear group is higher on the ability of elbow joint stretching and bending. The effect of inside group is sure on the operative approach in the humerus.