Timing and Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Pediatric Patients, Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

A study aims to evaluate the timing of close surgical treatment in supracondylar humeral fractures in pediatric patients and to know the radiological outcome of its management, through measuring the mean delay per hour and assessing post-surgical radiological outcome for reduction. A cross- sectional hospitals based study carried out in Khartoum state, through randomized cluster sampling, both data sheets and pre/post-surgical images were filled and collected. A well-constructed criteria were developed to assess the radiological outcome. With sample size of 41 cases, we found that the mean delay from trauma to surgery was 99 hours [SE, 13], equivalent to 4.13 days. The reduction outcome criterion was significant when comparing it with the surgeon level P value of 0.015, but when comparing it with the delay more than 32 hours and Gartland classification both weren’t significant with P values of 0.383 and 0.501 respectively. These results are refuting the current concepts about the impossible reduction after a delay more than 32 hours and filled the current gap of knowledge about the outcome of supracondylar humeral fractures Gartland III with delayed presentation.