Internal Fixation of Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures With Absorbable Screws in Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Lateral humeral condyle fractures are the second most common elbow fractures in children. Displaced and rotated fractures require stabilization and reduction. Kirschner wires (K-wires) are most commonly used for fracture fixation. Here, the investigators introduce a new fixation method involving absorbable screws. The investigators aimed to determine if it is feasible to treat lateral humeral condyle fractures with absorbable screws by comparing the functional outcomes obtained using screw fixation vs. K-wire fixation.

Detailed Description
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Methods: Between May 2007 and September 2010, 86 participants (age, 1.6-13 years; average age, 6.7 years) were randomly divided into two groups. All participants had been diagnosed with lateral condyle fractures classified as Jacobs type II (unstable) or III. Closed reduction failed in all participants. Therefore, open reduction was performed under general anesthesia. One absorbable screw was used for fixation in the experimental group, while two 1.8-mm K-wires were used in the control group. At 4-6 weeks postoperatively, the participants' plaster casts were removed, and functional training was started.

Official Title
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Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures With Absorbable Screws in Children

Conditions
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Humeral Fractures

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Absorbable screw group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All participants had been diagnosed with lateral condyle fractures classified as Jacobs type II (unstable) or III Exclusion Criteria: participants had not been diagnosed with lateral condyle fractures classified as Jacobs type II (unstable) or III

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Absorbable screw group<br>One absorbable screw was used for fixation in the experimental group | Procedure: Absorbable screw group<br>* Open reduction was performed and one absorbable screw was used for fixation in the experimental group<br>|
| No Intervention: K-wires group<br>two 1.8-mm K-wires were used for the fixation in the control group. The K-wires were the most common used by the orthopaedic surgeon. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Elbow Motion angle in degree | The orginal position was anatomy position （neutral position），Then，test the angle measured in degree of the elbow motion flexion, pronation and supination | 6 months after surgery. | 
| Strength in Newton (N) | Compared to the normal hand, the investigators defined it normal to moderate loss and severe loss | 6 months after surgery. | 
| stability | Compared to the normal hand, the investigators defined the elbow stability from normal to mild loss , moderate loss and severe loss | 6 months after surgery. | 
| Pain | According to the level 0   10 to pain grading:0 to 3 for mild pain,4 to 6 for moderate pain,7 or more for severe pain | 6 months after surgery. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Absorbable screw, Internal fixation, Children