Results of Lateral Condylar Blade Plate Fixation of Supracondylar Fractures of the Femur in an African Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The concerns about operative stabilization of supracondylar femoral fractures are complications, especially hardware infection and disturbance of normal knee function. We reviewed the results of operative fixation of supracondylar femoral fractures using the lateral condylar blade plate device in our centre.

Methods: All patients operatively treated using a lateral condylar blade plate device within a 13-year period were reviewed.
Results: There were thirty two fractures. Mean age was 47.3±21.5 years. There were 22 AO type 33-A, 4 type 33-B and 6 type 33-C fractures.
Traffic crashes accounted for 15 cases (46.9%). Six were open (Gustilo type IIIa). Surgery was delayed for an average of 21.3 days. Length of hospitalization was 69.7±43.5 days. Follow up averaged 23.6 weeks and average time to fracture union was 17.8±1.0 weeks. All fractures united
during follow up with an excellent outcome in 22 (68.8%), good in 5 cases (15.6%), moderate in 4 (12.5%) and a poor outcome in one patient using the Schatzker and Lambert criteria. Complications included knee stiffness (15.6%), bone infection (9.4%) and loosening of an implant. The infections subsided after removal of the hardware.
Conclusions: Treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures with the lateral condylar plate usually promises good results. However, high energy injuries are often prone to complications.

Keywords: Supracondylar femur, fracture, operative treatment, injuries, Nigeria.