Functional Outcome of Peripheral Nerve Injury after Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fracture: Comparison of Surgical and Conservative Treatment

Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2024 Feb;56(1):93-98. doi: 10.1055/a-2254-2465. Epub 2024 Mar 20.ABSTRACTSupracondylar humerus fractures are the most common elbow fractures in children up to 10 years of age. The incidence of associated nerve injuries varies up to 15% depending on the data. Traumatic and iatrogenic lesions mainly affect the ulnar nerve. The regeneration of peripheral nerves is comparatively better in childhood. In the present study, the functional results after surgical and conservative treatment of nerve injuries in children after supracondylar fractures were compared and analyzed for influencing factors. In this retrospective comparative study, clinical data of pediatric nerve injuries following supracondylar humerus fractures treated over a period of 13 years (2008-2021) were analyzed. Children who were treated surgically (neurolysis, autologous reconstruction) due to insufficient clinical/neurophysiological improvement within 6 months after trauma or who were followed up conservatively in case of regression of symptoms within 6 months after trauma were included. All patients underwent multidisciplinary follow-up. 48 patients (26 female/22 male) with nerve injuries were included in this study. All patients had a history of surgical treatment with K- wire fixation due to severe dislocated fractures. The mean age was 7±2 years. The initial symptoms were severe motor deficits in all patients and sensory deficits in 87.5% (n=42). Isolated lesions of the ulnar n...
Source: Handchirurgie Mikrochirurgie Plastische Chirurgie - Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research