Operative treatment of proximal humeral fractures in children: Indications and results

Abstract

Background: In most children proximal humeral fractures are treated non-operatively with generally good results. This review discusses the indications of
operative treatment and assesses the treatment results. Materials and Methods: The charts of 20 patients (14 girls; mean age: 12.3± 2.8 years; range: 7-16 years) with
proximal humeral fractures who were operated on at our institution were reviewed from 1992 to 2002. Results: There were fi ve metaphyseal fractures and 15 physeal injuries which were angulated according to Neer-Horowitz score as grade III in four cases and grade IV in 16 cases with a mean angulation of 47.8±39.1 degrees (range:
6-148 degrees). Associated lesions comprised open fracture and head trauma in two cases each. Patients with associated injuries were operated on primarily and the 16 others by secondary intention. All but one were reduced via an anterior approach with internal fi xation. They were assessed for clinical and radiological healing at a mean follow up of 3.6 years ranging from 1.2 to 7.8 years. Conclusion: Based on our study, surgical option
is indicated for severely displaced and unstable fractures in older children and adolescents.

Keywords: Children, humeral fractures, operation

African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 84-86