External humeral condylar fracture in children. A long-term review of 30 cases operated.

Follow-up ranging from 2 to 14 years (mean 6 years) was obtained for 30 fractures of the external humeral condyle in children aged from 2 to 11 years; the patients had been submitted to reduction-osteosynthesis. Twelve patients were at the end of the growth period when followed-up. All of the patients were classified as Lagrange and Rigault grades II and III. Synthesis always involved two or three Kirschner wires bent under the skin. There were 24 perfect results and 6 good ones. Valgus equal to less than 10 degrees was present in 2 cases. Deficit in flexion-extension, present in 4 cases, did not exceed 20 degrees overall. Another case showed "fish-tail" radiographic deformity (due to epiphysiodesis) which did not interfere with function. Despite the potential danger of the lesion, the authors believe that careful surgical treatment provides very satisfactory results.