Cross-sectional study of Gartland II and III humerus supracondylar fracture treatment in childhood: Brazilian orthopedists’ opinion()

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at determining, through a cross-sectional study, the preferred therapeutic method in Brazil considering the approach to Gartland type II and III supracondylar humerus fractures during childhood. METHODS: The research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Plataforma Brasil and the material was collected during the 46th Brazilian Orthopedics and Traumatology Congress. A questionnaire was developed to analyze two clinical scenarios about Gartland type II and III fractures. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 301 questionnaires obtained from 5500 participants of the Congress who met the inclusion and non-inclusion criteria. In case 1, the following was observed: 140 (46.5%) of physicians opted for closed reduction with immobilization and 116 (38.5%) selected closed reduction and osteosynthesis, of whom 82 (70.7%) preferred two crossed Kirschner wires. In case 2, 294 (97.7%) considered that the treatment is urgent, and 225 (74.8%) of the interviewed orthopedists answered that they perform osteosynthesis with two crossed Kirschner wires. CONCLUSIONS: The opinion of orthopedic surgeons in Brazil varies for Gartland type II fractures. Type III fractures have a uniform conduct and they are treated urgently (97.7%). When osteosynthesis is necessary, it was observed that 82 (70.7%) and 225 (74.8%) of the interviewed surgeons opted for fixation with two crossed Kirschner wires.