Open reduction can be a reasonable, safe and effective choice in complex paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures operative treatment

Table 1 Patients’ demographics, type of fracture and concomitant neurovascular injuries

Variable		Patients, n = 131	%
Age	6.5 years	-	-
	(18 months-14 years)
Sex	Male	79	60.3
	Female	52	39.7
Side	Right	46	35.1
	Left	85	64.9
Gartland type	III	55	42
	IV	76	58
Pink pulseless hand		69	52.7
AIN neurapraxia		36	27.5
Open fracture	Gustilo II with brachial artery and AIN nerve rupture	1	0.76

AIN: Anterior interosseous nerve.

Table 2 K-wires configuration and surgical approaches used for open reduction and percutaneous pinning

Variable	Lateral K-wire(s)	Medial K-wire(s)	Patients, n = 131	%
Open reduction	1	1	6	4.6
	2	1	67	51.1
	2	0	33	25.2
	3	0	15	11.5
	3	1	7	5.3
	4	0	3	2.3
Lateral approach			131	100
Medial approach			0	0
Lateral + medial approach			47	35.9

Table 3 Functional outcome regarding range of motion and patient-reported outcome measures (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, Mayo Elbow Performance Scores)

Variable	Average	Range	SD
Flexion	142°	130°-152°	-
Extension	5°	3°-14°	-
Supination	91°	78°-102°	-
Pronation	77°	73°-87°	-
DASH	0.76	0-5	1.008
MEPS	99.7	95-100	1.202

DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; MEPS: Mayo Elbow Performance Score.