Functional outcome after Operative treatment of supracondylar fractures in children and factors associated with it at Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency and Trauma Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Introduction; Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common type of elbow fracture in children and adolescents, and the most common fracture requiring surgery in children. These fractures need a precise treatment approach in order to obtain satisfactory result and to avoid complications. The purpose of our study is to determine the functional outcome of the surgical management of displaced Supracondylar fracture of humerus. Methods- A retrospective health facility based cross sectional study was conducted among patients with supracondylar humerus fracture treated operatively at AABET hospital. Data was collected by reviewing medical records and OR log books. The study was conducted on a sample size of 109 all eligible patients were included. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to summarize the results; Binary logistic regression was used to describe the association between variables. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Then multivariable analysis was done to identify most important factor. Result- Of 109 patients 99(90.8%) were male with a mean age of 7.35 ± 2.888 years. Garland type III constitutes 89 %, type II 6.4% and IV 4.6%. About 69.7% managed by open reduction and 30.3 closed reductions under C-arm. Only lateral pins were applied for 81.7% and cross pining for 18.3 %.over all 81.7% had satisfactory outcomes.83.5 % satisfactory cosmetic outcome and 89 % satisfactory range of motion outcome. Being massaged, delayed presentation to hospital and delayed surgery >10 days had strong association with unsatisfactory outcome. The most important factor being delayed surgery. Conclusion- The functional outcome of supracondylar fractures is satisfactory and comparable to other similar studies. Delayed presentation to hospital, delayed surgery and being massaged had strong association with the outcome and the most determinant factor is delayed surgery more than 10 days. Key words- supracondylar, fracture, children, management, outcome