Practices concerning management of Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures among Italian pediatric orthopedic surgeons

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2019 May;28(3):267-270. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000000615.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current practice among Italian pediatric orthopedic surgeons concerning management of Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fractures (SHFs). A total of 17 Italian pediatric orthopedic surgeons were asked to complete a questionnaire about their attitudes and practices concerning Gartland type III SHF treatment in 2015. Overall, 67% of the fractures were treated in a delayed fashion (>6 h after patient presentation to the emergency department). Moreover, the method of fixation was lateral-only pinning (64% of the cases). Although the management of any child with a Gartland type III SHF should be individualized, this study shows that delayed surgery and lateral-only pin fixation is the preferred method for the treatment of most of these injuries.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation / methods*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Humeral Fractures / surgery*
  • Infant
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*