Anxiety surrounding supracondylar humerus pin removal in children

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the anxiety experienced by patients undergoing pin removal in clinic following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for supracondylar humerus fractures. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 53 patients (3–8 years) treated for supracondylar humerus fracture with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning between July 2018 and February 2020. Demographic and injury data were recorded. Heart rate and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale were measured immediately before pin removal and after pin removal, and crossover control values were obtained at the subsequent follow-up clinic visit. RESULTS: All patients experienced anxiety immediately prior to pin removal (95% confidence interval, 94%–100%) with a median Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability score of 7 (interquartile range, 6–8). In addition, 98% of subjects experienced an elevated heart rate (95% confidence interval, 88%–100%). Patients experienced a median 73% reduction in Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability score and mean 21% reduction in heart rate from prior to pin removal to after pin removal (p < 0.001). All 45 patients who completed their follow-up visit had a control Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability score of 0 and a mean control heart rate of 89.7 bpm. Twenty-five of these 45 subjects (56%) had an elevated control heart rate for their age and sex. Mean heart rate prior to pin removal was 36% higher than control heart rate. There were no sex differences detected in Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scores or heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients experience high levels of anxiety when undergoing pin removal following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning for supracondylar humerus fractures. This is an area of clinical practice where intervention may be warranted to decrease patient anxiety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II