Does the timing of surgery affect outcomes of Gartland type III supracondylar fractures in children?

Background. Gartland type III supracondylar fractures in children are treated as emergency. But there are few studies about surgical timing and clinical outcomes.

Aim. To evaluate whether the time interval from injury to surgical treatment affects the treatment outcomes of Gartland type III supracondylar fractures in children.

Methods. The study population comprised all children presenting to our hospital between April 2003 and December 2013, who had Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fracture. Patients were divided into three groups: those who were treated within less than six hours from injury, those who were treated between six and twelve hours, and those who were treated between twelve and twenty four hours after injury. In this retrospective study, we checked whether the timing of surgery affected clinical outcomes such as bone union, range of motion, peri-operative complications, and operation time.

Results. All patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation within 24 hours. This study showed a trend that the delay in the timing of surgery after traumatic injury increases operation time, however with no statistical differences. The neurological complications were similar in the three groups. There were 11 cases (14.7%) of preoperative neurologic deficit, however every patient recovered postoperatively. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of clinical outcomes such as range of motion of the elbow and bone union.

Conclusion. For Gartland III pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures, operation can be delayed for up to 24 hours, which may allow time for operation during regular hours, rather than late at night, with thorough evaluation of circulation, nerve injury, and swelling.