Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children

Supracondylar humeral fractures are the most common type of elbow fractures in children. The treatment methods vary depending on the type of fracture (Gartland classification), which can be conservative or surgical. There is no clear consensus or guidelines to dictate the treatment of complicated su...

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Main Authors: Adrian Surd, Rodica Muresan, Carmen Iulia Ciongradi, Lucia Maria Sur, Lucia Raluca Ardelean, Lia Oxana Usatiuc, Kriszta Snakovszki, Camelia Munteanu, Ioan Sârbu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/556
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author Adrian Surd
Rodica Muresan
Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
Lucia Maria Sur
Lucia Raluca Ardelean
Lia Oxana Usatiuc
Kriszta Snakovszki
Camelia Munteanu
Ioan Sârbu
author_facet Adrian Surd
Rodica Muresan
Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
Lucia Maria Sur
Lucia Raluca Ardelean
Lia Oxana Usatiuc
Kriszta Snakovszki
Camelia Munteanu
Ioan Sârbu
author_sort Adrian Surd
collection DOAJ
description Supracondylar humeral fractures are the most common type of elbow fractures in children. The treatment methods vary depending on the type of fracture (Gartland classification), which can be conservative or surgical. There is no clear consensus or guidelines to dictate the treatment of complicated supracondylar humeral fractures (Gartland types II and III). Gartland type II and III fractures are most frequently treated with closed reduction and percutaneous Kirchner-wire pinning or open reduction with K-wire pinning, depending on the degree of displacement and the orthopedic surgeon’s preference. Most studies recommend avoiding open reduction because of prolonged hospitalization and higher rates of complications. Orthopedic surgeons have different opinions regarding the Kirschner pin placement technique. Studies suggest that only lateral pinning is safe and effective, but medial and lateral pinning is proven to give more stability; there is always a risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve damage during surgery. Modern treatment of supracondylar humeral fracture in children should focus on minimally invasive techniques and avoid open reduction, when possible, to ensure the best outcome for the patients. This scoping review’s purpose is to gather the available information on the topic in one place and to underline the lack of clear protocols.
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spelling doaj-art-b3d58eb04ce040e7b4eb4eb64b81d7442025-08-20T03:47:49ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112555610.3390/children12050556Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in ChildrenAdrian Surd0Rodica Muresan1Carmen Iulia Ciongradi2Lucia Maria Sur3Lucia Raluca Ardelean4Lia Oxana Usatiuc5Kriszta Snakovszki6Camelia Munteanu7Ioan Sârbu8Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, Emergency Children Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700114 Iasi, RomaniaPediatrics 1, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, Emergency Children Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPathophysiology, Department of Functional Sciences, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaPediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, Emergency Children Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400177 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaBiology Section, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania2nd Department of Surgery—Pediatric, Surgery and Orthopedics, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700114 Iasi, RomaniaSupracondylar humeral fractures are the most common type of elbow fractures in children. The treatment methods vary depending on the type of fracture (Gartland classification), which can be conservative or surgical. There is no clear consensus or guidelines to dictate the treatment of complicated supracondylar humeral fractures (Gartland types II and III). Gartland type II and III fractures are most frequently treated with closed reduction and percutaneous Kirchner-wire pinning or open reduction with K-wire pinning, depending on the degree of displacement and the orthopedic surgeon’s preference. Most studies recommend avoiding open reduction because of prolonged hospitalization and higher rates of complications. Orthopedic surgeons have different opinions regarding the Kirschner pin placement technique. Studies suggest that only lateral pinning is safe and effective, but medial and lateral pinning is proven to give more stability; there is always a risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve damage during surgery. Modern treatment of supracondylar humeral fracture in children should focus on minimally invasive techniques and avoid open reduction, when possible, to ensure the best outcome for the patients. This scoping review’s purpose is to gather the available information on the topic in one place and to underline the lack of clear protocols.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/556supracondylarchildrentreatment
spellingShingle Adrian Surd
Rodica Muresan
Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
Lucia Maria Sur
Lucia Raluca Ardelean
Lia Oxana Usatiuc
Kriszta Snakovszki
Camelia Munteanu
Ioan Sârbu
Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
Children
supracondylar
children
treatment
title Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
title_full Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
title_fullStr Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
title_full_unstemmed Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
title_short Modern Treatment of Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children
title_sort modern treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children
topic supracondylar
children
treatment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/556
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