A pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture and its surgical management: a case report

Humeral condyle fracture and Kirschner-wires approach

Abstract

Lateral humeral condyle fracture represents 12% to 20% of pediatric elbow fracture. Management of pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture is controversial, given the characteristic of fracture, such as nondisplaced and minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm) fractures. Since lateral condyle fracture is prone to nonunion, surgery seems to be the treatment of choice. However, this type of fracture has been linked with a high complication rate; thus, it is important to report the surgical procedure (screw, Kirschner wires, etc.) utilized to reduce fracture so that undesired effects can be avoided. Therefore, this case report describes the surgical method adopted to reduce a pediatric lateral condyle fracture. A five-year-old female patient was diagnosticated with type III lateral humeral condyle fracture. Reduction of fracture occurred by using three Kirschner wires (percutaneously). In conclusion, this case study reported a type III pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture treated with three Kirschner wires to reduce the fracture. The Kirschner wires were removed four weeks after the surgical procedure. The patient presented good recovery and total elbow joint range of motion after surgical procedures.