[Prevention of ulnar nerve injury during fixation of supracondylar fractures in children by a medial-lateral three-pin fixation technique]

Abstract

Objective: To expore the prevention of ulnar nerve injury during fixation of supracondylar fracture in children by a medial-lateral three-pin fixation technique.

Methods: Eighty-one patients including 54 boys and 27 girls with average age of 6 years old (2.5 to 11 years)were treated by a three-pin fixation technique with insertion of two Kirscher wires from the lateral side and the third wire through the medial side. They were followed-up without any complications related to the ulnar nerve. According to Garland system, there were 25 cases of type II supracondylar fracture and 56 of type III. All patients were treated by a medial-lateral three-pin fixation technique, and external fixation with plaster for 3 weeks.

Results: All cases achieved immediate stability and long-term bony fusion postoperatively and no iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury happen.

Conclusion: The technique is a stable and reliable methods for unstable supracondylar fracture and the iatrogenic injury ulnar nerve can be avoided completely.