A new surgical technique for old ununited lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children.

It is difficult to achieve an anatomic reduction of old lateral condyle humeral fractures in spite of extensive excision of fibrous tissues from the condylar fragment. The long-standing displaced position of the condyle is responsible for the contracture of the origin of the common extensor tendon, which prevents anatomic reduction. In our technique, lengthening of the common extensor origin was done and anatomic reduction achieved. This technique has been tried successfully in 15 cases of neglected fractures of lateral humeral condyles in children.