Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures in children using a semi-sterile technique in a low resource south Asian setting: infection rate and functional outcome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine infection rate and functional outcome after percutaneous pinning of supracondylar humeral fractures using a semi-sterile technique. A total of 183 children were treated in this fashion between 2008 and 2014. They were evaluated for postoperative infection and other complications. Clinical evaluation was made using Flynn’s criteria. Only seven patients (4%) developed superficial pin tract infections, which all settled with pin tract dressings and oral antibiotics. Loss of reduction was seen in 22 (12%) patients, cubitus varus in six (3%) and nerve injury in four (2%). Outcome was excellent in 161 (88%), good in 15 (8%) and fair in seven (4%). These data demonstrate that the infection rate using this technique is low and the technique is simple to manage.