[Indications for various treatment procedures in the therapy of supracondylar humeral fractures in childhood].

In the time from 1972 through 1985 173 children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus were treated according to the fracture type with two upper arm plaster splints, nail extension from von Ekesparre and in special cases with open reduction and fixation with Kirschner wires-osteosynthese. As primary complications due to accidents we discovered 4% lesions of the arm nerves and in 1.5% disturbance of the blood circulation, of which 0.5% were due to vessel lesions. All nerve lesions could be treated conservatively, however, one child had to be operated because of ischemia of the lower arm and hand. Through reconstruction of the Arteria brachialis the disturbance of the blood circulation could be remedied. Two children with varus- und torsions deformity had to undergo a correcting osteotomy. From the methods used by us for the treating of dislocated fracture of supracondylar humerus in childhood, the nail extension from von Ekesparre found priority. An open reduction was then indicated when the fracture could neither through the conservative treatment nor the nail extension be held in a good reduction position. Further indications for surgery were if circulation remains disturbed or if paralysis persists.