PURPOSE: To determine whether late open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a lateral condylar fracture (LCF) after 3 weeks is possible, and to determine the latest time for ORIF without a bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight children underwent late ORIF (>3 weeks) of a displaced LCF (>2.5 mm) of the humerus between 3 weeks and 5 weeks after injury. RESULTS: Clinically, results were excellent in 6 cases and good in 2 cases. There was no serious complication, including nonunion and avascular necrosis (AVN), though 2 cases had a slight fishtail deformity and mild carrying angle loss due to overgrowth of the lateral condyle fragment. CONCLUSION: We believe that 3 weeks is too short to deny open reduction and anatomic reduction for fear of AVN of a late presented lateral condyle fracture of the humerus. The latest time for ORIF in late presented LCF in children is around 5 weeks, and surgical treatment may even be possible after greater delays.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Humerus ; Lifting ; Necrosis ; Transplants