OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of operation for the treatment of old fractures of the humerus lateral condyle in children.

METHODSFrom January 2012 to January 2014 in our department, 14 children of old humeral lateral condyle fractures were treated with operation. Ten cases were male, 4 cases were female; age from 2 to 12 years old, average 5.8 years old. The initial diagnosis was type IIfracture according to the Milch ciassification, the loss of treatment in 11 cases, conservative treatment in 3 cases of nonunion after fracture displacement. Two cases had mild cubitus valgus deformity; 10 cases had elbow disorders, and the motion range was limited from 15° to 60°; 6 cases had pain in activity. The time from injury to operation was 32 to 176 days(62 days on average) in 14 cases, the 14 cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. According to the Modified An-Morrey elbow function assessment criteria after surgery for curative effect.

RESULTSFourteen cases were followed up for 1 to 3 years, average 1.8 years. No nonunion, malunion, aseptic necrosis of the epiphysis, cubitus varus or valgus occurred. Five cases had mild protrusion deformity of external condyle, 3 cases still had mild dysfunction. The time of clinical bone union was 4 to 8 weeks in X-ray films. Five cases had bony spur formation, 3 cases had signs of early closure of epiphysis; 2 cases had a increasing volume of humeral lateral condyle; and 2 cases appeared tail deformity. Modified An-Morrey score averaged(95.2±3.6) points, 13 excellent, 1 good.

CONCLUSIONSFor the old fracture of humeral lateral condyle, operation can effectively restore the appearance and function of elbow joint, and the short-term curative effect is satisfactory, but the long-term effect needs further observation.