Epidemiologic investigation of pediatric distal humerus fractures: An American insurance claims database study

BACKGROUND Distal humerus elbow fractures are one of the most common traumatic fractures seen in pediatric patients and present as three main types:Supracondylar(SC),lateral condyle(LC),and medial epicondyle(ME)fractures.AIM To evaluate the epidemiology of pediatric distal humerus fractures(SC,LC,and ME)from an American insurance claims database.METHODS A retrospective review was performed on patients 17 years and younger with the ICD 9 and 10 codes for SC,LC and ME fractures based on the IBM Truven MarketScan®Commercial and IBM Truven MarketScan Medicare Supplemental databases.Patients from 2015 to 2020 were queried for treatments,patient age,sex,length of hospitalization,and comorbidities.RESULTS A total of 1133 SC,154 LC,and 124 ME fractures were identified.SC fractures had the highest percentage of operation at 83%,followed by LC(78%)and ME fractures(41%).Male patients were,on average,older than female patients for both SC and ME fractures.CONCLUSION In the insurance claims databases used,SC fractures were the most reported,followed by LC fractures,and finally ME fractures.Age was identified to be a factor for how a pediatric distal humerus fractures,with patients with SC and LC fractures being younger than those with ME fractures.The peak age per injury per sex was similar to reported historic central tendencies,despite reported trends for younger physiologic development.

Blount Method in the Management of Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus in Children

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common traumatic elbow injury in children. Several techniques are described in their support. Blount’s method is one of the widely used orthopedic means. The objective of our study was to evaluate the results of supracondylar fractures of the humerus treated by this method in our department. This was a descriptive, longitudinal study with the prospective collection over a period of 12 months from May 2018 to April 2019. It focused on children aged 0 to 15 years treated in the Orthopedic Traumatology Department of the CHU of Kati for a supracondylar fracture of the humerus in extension. A minimum follow-up period of 6 months was necessary for inclusion. 12 patients were collected. The sociodemographic, anatomopathologic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects were studied. The results were evaluated according to Flynn’s criteria. The male sex was predominant with a ratio of 2. The average age was 5.5 years. The average admission time was 12.5 hours. Domestic accidents were the main etiology (66.66%) and Type II fracture was the most frequent with 58.33%. The duration of immobilization was 42 days for 11 patients. Complications were 1 case of secondary displacement and 1 case of 12&#730 flexion deficit. The average Baumann angle was 72&#730. The result was satisfactory for all our patients. Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are common in children, especially boys. The method of Blount when it is well carried out by respecting the indications gives good results.

The Effect of Weather Conditions on Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures

Background: Environmental conditions are effective on childhood supracondylar humerus fractures. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between weather conditions and these fractures. Materials and Methods: We started this study following the approval of a non-interventional research ethics committee. Patients (<16 years) who applied to the hospital between January 2013 and July 2018 with supracondylar humerus fractures were included in the study. The hospital’s PROBEL system was used to diagnose (International Classification of the Diseases, ICD, S42.4) radiological images and patient information. Information on the weather conditions in the day and time period, in which supracondylar humerus fracture occurred, was obtained from TR (Turkey) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of Meteorology. The relationship between supracondylar fracture and daily weather conditions (wind, air temperature, cloudiness, and season) was analyzed. Results: Most of the patients (n = 76, 40.6%, p < 0.05) were fractures occurring under cloudless weather conditions. Fractures were concentrated with a second frequency in cloudy weather over 60%, except for cloudless weather conditions (n = 51, 27.3%, p < 0.05). In the summer months when the air temperature was high, the number of fractures was higher (n = 62, 33.2%, p < 0.05) and less in the winter months (n = 24, 12.8%, p < 0.05). In hot weather conditions where the daily average temperature was above 20°C, supracondylar humerus fractures were observed more (n = 101, 54%) and less than 10°C (n = 43, 23%, p < 0.05). Increased incidence of fractures was observed in the presence of wind (n = 4, 2.1%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Supracondylar humerus fractures are common in children. Environmental conditions (temperature, wind, and season) can be effective in the occurrence of these fractures.

Modified Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Kirschner Wires Internal Fixation for Treatment of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Children

Objective Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most frequent fractures of the paediatric elbow.The present study introduced a modified surgical procedure for treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children.Methods From February 2015 to August 2019,73 patients with Gartland’s type II and III supracondylar fractures were treated with this modified method.Totally,68 of all patients were followed up for 3–12 months(mean 8.25 months).The evaluation results included fracture nonunion,ulnar nerve injury,pin track infection,carrying angle and elbow joint Flynn score.Results The results showed that bone union was observed in all children,one case had an iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury,and the symptoms were completely relieved in 4 months after removing of the medial-side pin.All children had no cubitus varus deformity and no pin track infection,and the rate of satisfactory results according to Flynn’s criteria score was 100%.Conclusion The modified closed reduction and Kirschner wires internal fixation could effectively reduce the rate of open reduction,the risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury,and the incidence of cubitus varus deformity in treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children.

Clinical significance of Baumann's angle in the percutaneous pinning fixation for supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

To evaluate the clinical significance of Baumann’s angle in the closed reduction and percutaneous pinning fixation for supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.Methods There were 97 children (male 59,female 38,mean age of 6.8 years) with displaced supracondylar fracrtures of the humerus were treated in this hospital.Under fluoroscopy guidance,three-dimensional displacement of fractures was corrected by closed reduction.The percutaneous Kirschner wire pinning was applied only if the radiographs demonstrated that Baumann’s angle was less than 4 degree compared to that on the normal side.All of them were followed up for 34.5 months (range,12 to 48 months).Results There was one case with ulnar nerve palsy associated with the pinning.There were no Volkmann’s contracture in this group.X-ray examinations revealed an average 73.7 degrees of Baumann angle on the injured and 72.8 on uninjured side.An average 7.6 degrees of the carrying angle on the injured and 9.7 on uninjured side were also demonstrated by radiography.Five patients developed slight cubitus varus deformity.The result according to Flynn criteria were excellent in 85 patients (87.6%),good in 12 patients (12.4%).Conclusion The satisfactory results can be gained in children with displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus by restoration of the normal Baumann angle and percutaneous pinning fixation.18 refs,2 figs.

Effectiveness of an early operating room start time in managing pediatric trauma

BACKGROUND The timing of operative treatment for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures(SCHF)and femoral shaft fractures(FSF)remains controversial.Many fractures previously considered to be surgical emergencies,such as SCHF and open fractures,are now commonly being treated the following day.When presented with an urgent fracture overnight needing operative treatment,the on-call surgeon must choose whether to mobilize resources for a late-night case or to add the case to an elective schedule of the following day.AIM To describe the effect of a program allowing an early operating room(OR)start for uncomplicated trauma prior to an elective day of surgery to decrease wait times for surgery for urgent fractures admitted overnight.METHODS Starting in October 2017,patients were eligible for the early slot in the OR at the discretion of the surgeon if they were admitted after 21:00 the previous night and before 05:00.We compared demographics and timing of treatment of SCHF and FSF treated one year before and after implementation as well as the survey responses from the surgical team.RESULTS Of the 44 SCHF meeting inclusion criteria,16 received treatment before imple mentation while 28 were treated after.After implementation,the mean wait time for surgery decreased by 4.8 h or 35.4%(13.4 h vs 8.7 h;P=0.001).There were no significant differences in the operative duration,time in the post anesthesia care unit,and wait time for discharge.Survey results demonstrated decreased popularity of the program among nurses and anesthesiologists relative to surgeons.Whereas 57%of the surgeons believed that the program was effective,only 9%of anesthesiologists and 16%of nurses agreed.The program was ultimately discontinued given the dissatisfaction.CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate significantly reduced wait times for surgery for uncomplicated SCHF presenting overnight while discussing the importance of shared decision-making with the stakeholders.Although the program produced promising results,it also created new conflicts within the OR staff that led to its discontinuation at our institution.Future implementations of such programs should involve stakeholders early in the planning process to better address the needs of the OR staff.