Outcome of early versus delayed Kirschner wire fixation of supracondylar fractures of humerus in children

Abstract

Purpose: Controversy still persists regarding optimum intervention time for late presentations of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children. We compared outcomes in early and late groups of presentation and management. Study design: We conducted prospective study comparing early and late open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation for Gartland type III supracondylar fracture of humerus in children aged less than 16 years. We analyzed results of 27 cases in early group and 19(8 lost) cases in late group. We compared duration of surgery, range of motion, and Flynn’s criteria were used to evaluate outcome. Results: Thirty (65%) patients were male and 15(32.60%) had dominant limb involvement. Injury to surgery time was 53.63±41.03 hours in early group and 338.53±134.31 hours in late group (p