Conservative Versus Surgical Treatment of Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children - Which One ?

Supracondylar Humerus Fractures are the most common type of elbow fracture in children, typically occurring between the ages of five and seven. These injuries are critical due to their proximity to major neurovascular structures, making prompt and appropriate management essential to prevent severe complications. The vast majority (approximately 98%) of SCHFs are extension-type injuries, resulting from a fall onto an outstretched hand with the elbow hyperextended.

Classification: The Gartland System The classification is based on the degree of displacement of the distal fragment relative to the proximal fragment, as seen on a lateral radiograph.

Type I stable, nondisplaced fractures are managed non-operatively.

• Treatment: Immobilization in a long-arm cast or splint for 3 to 4 weeks, typically in 90 degrees of flexion, followed by early mobilization .
• Goal: Pain control and protection from further displacement. Type II FracturesThese fractures are unstable in extension but maintain some stability due to the intact posterior cortex. Management remains a point of controversy, with both conservative and surgical options being utilized.•Conservative Option: Closed reduction (CR) and casting, often reserved for less displaced or stable Type IIA fractures.•Surgical Option: Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP) is the preferred surgical method, especially for unstable Type IIB fractures (those with rotational instability).

Type III and IV are highly unstable fractures that require urgent intervention to achieve and maintain reduction .

Treatment: Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP) is the mainstay of treatment .Open reduction may be necessary if closed reduction fails or if there is a vascular compromise requiring exploration.

•Goal: Anatomical reduction and stable fixation to prevent malunion and neurovascular complications.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with Gartland type II supracondylar humerus fractures with age between 1-12 years old treated at the AUH

Exclusion criteria

• Gartland Type I, III, or IV fractures.
• Open fractures.
• Associated neurovascular injury (e.g., absent radial pulse, documented nerve palsy).
• Patients with another injury in the same limb
• Pathological fractures.
• Pre-existing elbow pathology or congenital deformity.
• Inability to comply with follow-up protocol.