Anterior Approach Versus Posterior Approach to Surgical Treatment of Childrenʼs Supracondylar Fractures

Surgical Outcomes of Pediatric Humeral Supracondylar Fractures Treated By Posterior Approach and Triceps Splitting

“…The most common complication of ORIF in surgical treatment of supracondylar fracture in children is loss of elbow joint motion. This complication is usually quoted to be more prevalent in posteriorly treated children [24][25][26][27]. In this study, we could not find a significant difference between elbows motions in the posteriorly treated patients and other approaches.…”

Minimally invasive surgical techniques for irreducible supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

“…The three components (coronal tilting, translation and rotation) of the distal fragment are easily corrected by pressure on the medial spike with the thumb or a suction tip and traction applied to the forearm simultaneously. The spike of the fracture fragment is mostly just beneath the skin (due to the ruptured brachial muscle), and hence the fracture can be easily approached and reduced after removal of any intervening soft tissue (Gennari et al 1998). Alternately, the suction tip can be interposed between the soft tissue and the fractured fragment in order to free the latter.…”

“…A posterior approach has been claimed to be advantageous by some authors (Sibly et al 1991, Gruber andHealey 1996), but may damage the intact posterior extensor muscles and result in postoperative elbow stiffness (Celiker et al 1990, Gennari et al 1998). …”

Supracondylar Humerus Fractures;

“…15 On the other hand some surgeons like Reitman and Waters have achieved excellent results with posterior approach. 16 Similarly, Gennari et al 17 have reported excellent results in 87% cases employing the anterior approach.…”