Application of ultrasound in the closed reduction and percutaneous pinning in supracondylar humeral fractures

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound examination can be applied to the diagnosis of pediatric elbow fracture. This study aims to analyze the application value of ultrasound in the surgical treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures. METHODS: 64 children with supracondylar humeral fractures were treated with ultrasound-guided closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP), 31 patients were treated with CRPP under radiography guidence. The reduction effect of supracondylar humeral fractures was determined through the perioperative ultrasound images of the lateral, medial and posterior aspects of the elbow. Percutaneous pinning was performed after supracondylar humeral fractures were well reduced. A follow-up examination was performed and all the patients were evaluated according to Flynn’s criteria. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was 58.3 min (42–108 min) in the ultrasound group and 41.5 min (24-63 min) in the radiography group (P < 0.05). The mean carrying angle was 8.2° (0°–15°) in the ultrasound group and 9.4°(3°–16°) in the radiography group; The mean Baumann’s angle was 75.5°(60°–85°) in the ultrasound group and 73.4°(62°–82°) in the radiography group; The mean lateral humerocapitellar angle was 38.4° (26°–54°) in the ultrasound group and 41.6°(29°–52°) in the radiography group; No significant differences were observed between the two groups. According to the Flynn’s criteria, 49 (76.6%) patients had excellent, 10 (15.6%) patients achieved good, 3 (4.7%) patients showed fair results and 2 (3.1%) patients achieved poor results in the ultrasound group; 22 (70.9%) patients had excellent, 6 (19.4%) patients achieved good, 2 (6.5%) patients showed fair results and 1 (3.2%) patients achieved poor results in the radiography group; No statistically significant difference was noted between the results of these two groups (P > 0.05). After surgery, three patients had pin tract infection. One patient had ulnar nerve neurapraxia in the radiography group. No cases with Volkmann’s contracture were reported. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided CRPP is a safe and reliable surgical treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.