Abstract
Gartland type III posterolateral (IIIB) supracondylar humerus fractures are common among the pediatric population and can lead to concomitant injury, including compromise of the brachial artery and median nerve and long-term deformity, such as cubitus varus. These fractures can be difficult to reduce, and there is little consensus regarding the optimal technique for closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Here, we discuss the management of Gartland III posterolateral supracondylar humerus fractures, including an in-depth technical description of the methods of operative fixation. We describe a lateral pin-only fixation technique for Gartland III posterolateral supracondylar humerus fractures that uses the intact periosteum during reduction of the distal fragment to assist in realigning the medial and lateral columns anatomically. We also discuss a safe method for placing a medial-based pin if there is persistent rotational instability at the fracture site after placement of the laterally based pins.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | E108-E115 |
Journal | Journal of orthopaedic trauma |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2021 |
Keywords
- Gartland IIIB
- anterior interosseous nerve palsy
- brachial artery injury
- closed reduction
- cubitus varus deformity
- elbow fracture
- internal rotation stress test
- lateral pinning
- medial pin
- medial pinning
- pediatrics
- percutaneous pinning
- periosteum
- supracondylar humerus fracture
- technique
- treatment algorithm
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine