The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 61, Issue 3 425-428, Copyright © 1979 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Supracondylar fractures of the humerus. A comparative study of Dunlop's traction versus percutaneous pinning
CA Prietto
A retrospective comparative study was done of two groups of patients with
displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus. The patients in the first
group were treated with Dunlop's traction, while those in the second group
were treated by percutaneous pin fixation. There were thirty-six patients
in the group treated with Dunlop's traction, of whom twenty-seven were seen
in follow-up with an average time of 2.7 years. Twenty-eight patients were
in the group treated with pin fixation, of whom twenty were seen in
follow-up with an average time of 2.9 years. In each case the chart and
roentgenograms were reviewed and the patient was examined. The results
showed a 33 per cent incidence of cubitus varus (so-called gunstock
deformity) in the patients treated with Dunlop's traction as compared with
5 per cent in those pinned percutaneously. The range of elbow motion was
also slightly better in the group treated with pin fixation. Furthermore,
the costs and hospital stays were significantly less in those treated by
pinning. Complications in both groups were few.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Technorati What's this?
