Outcome of paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures treated by surgery at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Supracondylar humeral fractures are common elbow injuries in children. When these fractures are managed improperly, patients end up having complications that interfere with daily activities.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the functional outcome of supracondylar humeral fractures treated with surgery at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda.

Methodology: This was a combined retrospective and cross-sectional observational study. The sample size was 108. Theatre logs and OPD files were used to obtain patients' clinical information. Functional outcome was evaluated using QuickDASH score.

Results: Children having 6 to 10 years of age were predominant (54.6%). Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The left elbow was most affected (60.2%). Seventy five patients (69.4%) were within normal range, 27 (25.0%) patients had mild disability, 5 (4.7%) patients had moderate disability, and 1 (0.9%) patient had severe disability. There were no patients with very severe disability. The most common complication was elbow stiffness (59.3%), followed by gunstock deformity (27.1%). The only determinant of functional outcome found was the time (within 4 days or beyond) from injury to management (OR: 0.993, 95% CI: {0.987-1.000}, p-value: 0.048).

Conclusion: For operable supracondylar humeral fractures in children, operation within 4 days and good follow up of patients in postoperative period are crucial for good functional outcome.