[Comparison of the results of conservative and surgical therapy of dislocated supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children].

The authors evaluate retrospectively in a group of 121 children with a dislocated supracondylar fracture in 1984-1993 the results of different therapeutic methods. The highest percentage of excellent and satisfactory results was recorded in children treated by closed reposition with percutaneous pinning with Kirschner wires (88%). In open reposition with Kirschner wires 60% of the results were excellent of satisfactory. The lowest percentage of excellent and satisfactory results was recorded when fixation with a plaster bandage was used (48%). The highest percentage of poor results was observed in surgical reposition with internal fixation (37%). The cause of failure in the majority of patients is according to the authors inadequate reposition of fragments. The authors discuss different types of treatment. They recommend non-surgical reposition with percutaneous pinning, even for less dislocated extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus as well as for fractures complicated by vascular injuries.