Operative Treatment of Medial Epicondyle Fractures in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients: Comparative Study of Internal Fixation with Kirschner Wires or Cannulated Screws
10.5763/kjsm.2023.41.1.19
- Author:
Hong Jun JUNG
1
;
Chung-Su HYUN
;
Kwansoo LEE
;
Ho Youn PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sahmyook Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Clinical Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine
2023;41(1):19-26
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Medial epicondyle fractures are a common elbow injury in pediatric and adolescent patients. The management of these fractures continues to be debated. This study aims to review the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of operative treatment of medial epicondyle fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients.
Methods:In this study, 24 consecutive patients were categorized into two groups as follows: group 1, 10 patients undergoing internal fixation with Kirschner wires (K-wires) and group 2, 14 patients undergoing internal fixation with cannulated screws. To assess clinical outcomes, Mayo Elbow Performance Score were used in addition visual analogue scale for pain, subjective range of motion, ulnar nerve irritation symptoms, residual instabilities and requirement for secondary surgery were checked. To access the radiological outcomes, check the bone union and possible deformities secondary to the medial epicondyle fractures were examined.
Results:There were no cases of immediate or residual ulnar nerve irritation symptoms and no cases of residual deformity or valgus instability. There was no radiological evidence of loss of reduction and all patients had achieved bone union at last follow-up. And all patients had performed secondary surgery for hardware removal regardless of symptomatic hardware irritation.
Conclusion:Both K-wires fixation for younger children and screw fixation for near skeletal maturity children may provide favorable clinical and radiological outcomes at long-term follow-up, with low morbidity and radiographic deformity. In the K-wire fixation group, it is thought that preoperative explanation is needed because the K-wires tends to be removed earlier than screw fixation group due to hardware irritation.
