Conservative versus surgical treatment of Gartland type 2 supracondylar humeral fractures: What can help us choosing?

ConclusionIt is reasonable to expect satisfactory outcomes both after conservative and surgical treatment of type 2 fractures, if cornerstones of both treatments are applied. Parameters that should be focused are probably two: complications (2 cases of cubitus varus in group A versus one superificial pin-tract infections in group B) and the better trend in surgical group in regards to loss of flexion and hyperextension of the affected elbow, likely related to the other notable datum, that is the percentage of cases in which AHL bisects capitellum. We think that, in absence of vascolonervous lesions and important swelling, BA and AHL are the most important parameters that can help us choosing the optimal treatment, as clarified in the algorithm we developed.Level of evidenceLevel III – retrospective comparative study.
Source: Journal of Orthopaedics - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research