Closed reduction with crossed Kirschner wire fixation for displaced supracondylar femoral fractures in young children

Abstract

Supracondylar femoral fractures are uncommon in children, but may result in various deformities. Though many approaches have been used to manage them, there is no literally approved standard yet.From 2015 to 2017, 12 young children at the average age of 2.5 years old (range 3.6-1.6) with displaced supracondylar fractures were admitted to our department and received closed reduction with crossed Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation as treatment. After the surgeries, we performed follow-up to every patient at the average length of 26 months (range 24-30) and used the Knee Society Score scale to evaluate the outcome.Fracture healing was observed within 10 weeks for all patients and walking was resumed between 10 to 13 weeks. No patient reported a valgus deformity more than 10°, neurovascular injury or knee infection. The average limb length discrepancy was 0.4 cm at the end of our follow-up. Every patient had perfect score on the Knee Society Score scale.Our study suggests that closed reduction with percutaneous crossed Kirschner wire is a favorable method for displaced supracondylar femoral fractures in young children.