Authors

Salvador Sentamans Segarra1, Laura Pino Almero2

Position

1Grado de Enfermería. Hospital Universitario La Fe. Valencia2Doctora en Medicina y Cirugía. Facultativo Especialista en Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia

Contact address

Salvador Sentamans Segarra. C/ Juan Castelló, 2-16. 46009 Valencia.

Contact email: salvasenta@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, the treatment approach and evolution of supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus (SFDH) in the pediatric population of a tertiary hospital.
Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study (case series), including all pediatric patients seen at the Emergency Unit of a tertiary hospital due to SFDH between 2015 and 2019. Epidemiological details were collected (gender, age, time of the year), as well as clinical and radiographic (type of fracture according to the Gartland classification, laterality, background), type of treatment, complications, and functional outcomes based on a review of clinical records. Descriptive statistical indexes were conducted.
Results: in total, 121 cases were retrieved (53.7% boys, 5.2 years as mean age). The injury occurred more frequently in playgrounds (59.5%) in warm weather; 53.7% were located in the left elbow; and 41.3% were Type 1 SFDH (non-displaced), 23.1% were Type 2 and 35.3% were Type 3. Treatment was conservative in 100% of Type 1 SFDHs, and surgical in 54.5% of cases. Complications were found in 2.5% of patients: 87.6% of them recovered complete mobility, and limited flexion was only found in patients with Type 3 (SFDH) (34.9%).
Conclusion: SFDHs were more frequent in 5-year-old males after falls in playgrounds, and Type 1 cases were more frequent. The most common treatment was surgical. Complications and partial recoveries occurred after displaced fractures. It is important for nurses to be familiar with this condition in order to prevent any potential complications.

Keywords:

Humerus fractures; elbow joint; pediatrics; epidemiology; clinical evolution

Versión en Español

Título:

Características, abordaje terapéutico y evolución de las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero distal en población pediátrica