The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2006;88:980-985.
doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.02956
© 2006 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
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Treatment of Multidirectionally Unstable Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children

A Modified Gartland Type-IV Fracture

K.K. Leitch, MD, MBA, FRCSC1, R.M. Kay, MD1, J.D. Femino, MD1, V.T. Tolo, MD1, S.K. Storer, MD1 and D.L. Skaggs, MD1

1 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, #69, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Investigation performed at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

The authors did not receive grants or outside funding in support of their research for or preparation of this manuscript. They did not receive payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors are affiliated or associated.

Background: There is an uncommon subset of supracondylar humeral fractures in children that are so unstable they can displace into both flexion and extension. The purposes of this study were to describe this subset of supracondylar fractures and to report a new technique of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for their treatment.

Methods: In a retrospective review of 297 consecutive displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children treated operatively at our institution, we identified nine that were completely unstable with documented displacement into both flexion and extension as seen on fluoroscopic examination with the patient under anesthesia. We used a new technique for closed reduction and fixation of these fractures, and then we assessed fracture-healing and complications from the injury and treatment.

Results: All nine fractures were treated satisfactorily with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. The complication rate associated with these unstable fractures was no higher than that associated with the 288 more stable fractures. Seven of the nine fractures were stabilized with lateral entry pin placement, and two fractures were stabilized with crossed medial and lateral pins. None of the patients had a nonunion, cubitus varus, malunion, additional surgery, or loss of motion.

Conclusions: In rare supracondylar fractures in children, multidirectional instability results in displacement into flexion and/or extension. This fracture can be classified as type IV according to the Gartland system, as it is less stable than a Gartland type-III extension supracondylar fracture. These fractures can be treated successfully with a new technique of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, thus avoiding open reduction.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


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Letters to the Editor:

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Stabilization of Unstable Supracondylar Pediatric Fractures
TURAB A. SYED
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Is Use of Three Lateral Pins The Best Option?
Bhavuk Garg, et al.
JBJS Online, 29 Nov 2006 [Full text]