[A prognostic classification of the "floating elbow" in children].

The ipsilateral fracture of the humerus and any bone of the forearm is known as "Floating elbow", being this an infrequent entity in paediatrics. Nevertheless the classification that is proposed is based specifically on clinical findings and on the radiographic appearance resulting. We performed an observational, cross-sectioned and descriptive study from January 1997 to December 2000. We included 29 patients from 4 to 14 years old male and female. All patients received treatment for "floating elbow" and they were evaluated with the application of this proposition to get their prognosis. It was made on the basis of other classifications widely demonstrated such as Holmberg's for supracondylar fractures, Kranhoft and Solgaard's for forearm fractures, Gustilo R.B. and Mendoza R.M.'s for exposed fractures and we also considered the applications of the functional classification index of Broberg and Morrey. We propose a classification system based on mechanism of injury, fracture's level, displacement, time of exposition and related injuries, with six different types, as well as the use of a prognostic classification the physician has to look for a perfect reduction of the fracture and an appropriate stabilization.