[Fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle in child: preliminary study about 18 cases].

The aim of this work is to study the epidemiological, radiological, clinical views of fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle in child and mainly to appreciate the results of surgical treatment. For this, we looked at again in a retrospective study eighteen (18) files of children with fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle. The average age of children was eleven (11) and the male sex most represented (16 boys versus 2 girls). Medial humeral epicondyle's fracture often occurs by accident in playing (15 cases). Accurate diagnostic of the fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle was rarely formulated on the clinical plan. It's the radiography who shown the fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle and permitted to specially the type in accordance with Marion's and Faysse's classifications and also Lechevallier. It was always surgical and consisted on a open reduction and fixation by pins or a periostee's stich. With ten (10) months of background, we assessed our results either on morphological plan than the functional plan. 1/ On morphological plan: an hypertrophy of the medial humeral epicondyle is 3-fold mentioned. Others children have not presented a morphological animaly. 2/ On functional plan: Ten children had an elbow's mobility considered as normal after self reeducation at home. Six enjoyed physical therapy in a specialized department. Two of the children had an extension gap from 30 degrees to 35 degrees respectively. We obtained thirsteen (13) good results in general, three (3) means results and two (2) bad results. In conclusion, the fracture of medial humeral epicondyle occurs around ten (10) years old in boy victim in playing. Diagnostic is sometimes difficult. Surgical treatment gives good results. However, it can be the origin of sequellaes which can justify correct previous refunding.