"Dorgan's" percutaneous lateral cross-wiring of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

Abstract

The preferred treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children is closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Cross-wiring techniques are biomechanically superior to parallel lateral wiring techniques. The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experience with a novel cross-wiring technique performed entirely from the lateral side. Twenty children with supracondylar fractures who were manipulated and wired using a lateral cross-wiring technique were reviewed. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture classification, and associated neurovascular injuries were noted. All fractures were reduced, cross-wired from the lateral side, and rested in an above-elbow slab. Wires were removed at 4 weeks. Range of motion and carrying angle were measured at follow-up. Lateral cross-wiring of supracondylar fractures represents a real option in the treatment of these injuries, offering the biomechanical advantages of traditional cross-wiring without the risk of ulnar nerve injury.