Treatment and outcomes of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

OBJECTIVES: Supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHF) are the most common elbow injury in the pediatric population. The treatment, outcome, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following these injuries are described. METHODS: Patients with SCHF who were treated depending on the fracture type were evaluated. Medical records stored in the REDCap database were reviewed to obtain information on demographics, mechanisms of injury, neurovascular status, infection rates, and postoperative complications. Outcomes were assessed using Flynn's criteria and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) version 4.0. Follow-up was for 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients with a mean age of 5.2 years (SD ± 2.3) were seen. Most of the injuries occurred at home (64.3%). The left-arm (nondominant) was the most injured (62%), though 92% of patients were right hand dominant. Ninety-six percent of the fractures were the extension type. A total of 98% had satisfactory outcomes using Flynn's criteria and older patients were likely to sustain Gartland type III SCHF (P = .01). There was a significant difference in mean scores of PedsQL (all P values < .01) at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study, the quality of life of patients following SCHF diminished at the time of the injury and returned to the population normal 6 months after. There was no significant difference in HRQoL scores between patients who presented early and those who presented late. The delayed presentation and management did not also affect the functional outcome and complications. Therefore, surgical management of these injuries after late presentation is still safe.