Open reduction and k-wires fixation of medial humeral epicondyle fractures with intra-articular elbow entrapment in children

Background. Medial epicondyle fracture (MEF) is a common injury of all elbow fractures in the pediatric and adolescent population and is often associated with elbow dislocation. Traditional management by cast immobilization increasingly is being replaced with early open reduction and K-wires or screws fixation. A consensus about the correct treatment of MEF is currently lacking in the medical literature. The aim of this study was to report the clinical and radiographic outcomes and the complications of patients affected from MEF with intra-articular fragment incarceration treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation. Materials and methods. Thirteen children (aged 8-13 years) with medial epicondyle fractures (MEF) with intraarticular elbow entrapment were retrospectively reviewed. All the enrolled patients were surgically treated with open reduction and k-wire fixation without exploration of ulnar nerve. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using upper limb alignment in the frontal plane, elbow range of motion (ROM), the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Radiographic outcomes and complications were also evaluated. Results. At a mean follow-up of 24.1 months no patients showed axial deformity of the upper limb or instability of the elbow and with preserved elbow ROM. The mean MEPS was 98.8 and the mean value of the VAS score was 1. The final X-rays showed fracture healing in 11 patients while 2 (15.3%) reported asymptomatic nonunion. Six patients of 13 presented with preoperative paresthesia in the ulnar nerve field but all of them reported a complete recovery after a mean of 4.3 months. All patients returned to their sporting activities at a mean of 5.4 months after surgery. One patient (7.7%) reported a superficial surgical wound infection treated with oral antibiotic medication without further surgery. No other complication was found. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that open reduction and K-wires fixation without exploration of ulnar nerve for MEF with intra-articular elbow entrapment treatment is a safe and effective procedure.