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Beware of ulnar nerve entrapment in flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures.

ABSTRACT: A recent study reported a higher incidence of pre-operative ulnar nerve symptoms in patients with flexion-type supracondylar fractures than in those with the more common extension supracondylar fractures and a greater need for open reduction (Kocher in POSNA paper #49 2006). We have encountered a specific pattern of flexion supracondylar fractures that often require open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) due to entrapment of the ulnar nerve within the fracture.Medical records and X-rays from 1997 to 2005 at our children's hospital were examined to identify flexion supracondylar fractures that required open reduction. The operative reports were reviewed to identify cases that had the ulnar nerve blocking the reduction.During the 8 years examined, 1,650 supracondylar fractures had been treated by means of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Of these, only 1.8% or 30 cases could not be reduced closed and required open reduction internal fixation, excluding 11 open fractures. Of the 30 fractures requiring open reduction internal fixation, 24 were of the extension type needing ORIF because of interposed periosteum/muscle. The other 6 patients had flexion-type supracondylar fractures that failed closed reduction. All had a persistent medial gap at the fracture site. All 6 fractures had interposed periosteum or muscle, while in 3 cases the ulnar nerve was also entrapped within the fracture site (Figs. 1, 2)Flexion-type supracondylar fractures remain a relatively uncommon variant (2-3%) of supracondylar fractures. Recent reports have noted that open treatment of these fractures is required more frequently than for extension fractures. In our series, 20% of the open cases were flexion-type fractures and in half of these the ulnar nerve was found to be entrapped in the fracture, preventing reduction.

SUBMITTER: Steinman S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2656725 | biostudies-other | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Objective The incidence of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF) in children is significantly higher than that of extension-type fractures. This study aimed to identify risk factors for ORIF in flexion-type SCHF. Methods One hundred seventy-one patients with Wilkins type III flexion-type SCHF from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled in a tertiary paediatric hospital. Patients were divided into ORIF group versus closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) group. Then, patients data of age, sex, injury side, obesity, deviation of displacement, fracture level, rotation, nerve injury, and delay from injury to surgery were reviewed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent risk factors and odds ratios (OR) of ORIF. Results Overall, 171 children with type III flexion-type SCHF were analyzed (average aged 7.9 ± 2.8 years). Displacement was lateral in 151 cases, medial in 20. 20 cases had combined ulnar nerve injury. The failed closed reduction rate was 20%. Univariate analysis indicated age, distal fracture fragment rotation, and ulnar nerve injury were significantly associated with ORIF. (P = 0.047, P = 0.009, and P = 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that distal fracture fragment rotation (OR, 3.3; 95%CI:1.1–9.5; P = 0.028) and ulnar nerve injury (OR, 6.4; 95%CI:2.3–18.3; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors; however, the age was not an independent one (OR, 1.5; 95%CI:0.6–3.5; P = 0.397) for ORIF in the Wilkins type III flexion-type SCHF. Conclusion Distal fracture fragment malrotation on initial x-rays and ulnar nerve injury were significant risk factors for ORIF in Wilkins type III flexion-type SCHF. Surgeons should prepare tourniquets or other open reduction instruments when treating these types of fractures. Level of evidence Level IV Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05798-5.

Project description:PurposeFollowing medial epicondyle fractures, a subset of pediatric patients has persistent limitations in elbow motion. This study soughted to understand the patient characteristics of this group and to assess the effectiveness of intensive therapy and ulnar nerve transposition in improving elbow range of motion and patient-reported outcomes.MethodsA cohort of 31 pediatric patients with stiffness after elbow trauma was narrowed to 8 pediatric patients (7 female) ranging in age from 9 to 14 years, who were diagnosed with medial epicondyle fractures and underwent intensive therapy and ulnar nerve transposition with or without elbow joint release. We collected demographic and objective data as well as subjective data including Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores before and after ulnar nerve transposition.ResultsFollowing initial intensive therapy, elbow range of motion improved by an average of 56°, and 7 of the 8 patients reached a functional motion arc of 100°. Subsequently, following ulnar nerve surgery with or without elbow release, motion improved by an average of 22°, and 5 of the 8 patients demonstrated improvement from this intervention. Surgery led to improvements in subjective outcomes with an improvement in PROMIS mobility scores by an average of 9 points, pain interference by 6 points, and upper extremity scores by 3 points. Based on a previously determined minimally important difference of three points, these indicate significant clinical improvements.ConclusionsA subset of pediatric patients with persistent stiffness following medial epicondyle fractures may benefit from additional interventions, including intensive therapy, transposition of the ulnar nerve, and open capsular release. However, not all patients were improved after ulnar nerve surgery, and the identification and treatment of ulnar nerve irritability may not fully resolve preoperative symptoms in all patients.Type of study/level of evidenceTherapeutic IV.

Project description:BackgroundUlnar nerve injuries, especially high (proximal forearm) injuries, result in poor functional recovery. Peripheral nerve transfers have recently become a popular technique to augment nerve repairs and reduce the reinnervation distance before distal motor endplates irreversibly degenerate, leading to incomplete recovery.ObjectivesTo systematically review and analyse the recent literature regarding anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) to ulnar nerve transfers, including demographics, indications, outcomes, and complications.MethodsA search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane databases using the keywords ulnar nerve, ulnar nerve injury, ulnar motor nerve, anterior interosseous nerve, anterior interosseous, AIN, nerve transfer, and end-to-side using a 3-component search along with the Boolean operators 'AND' and 'OR'.ResultsA total of 341 studies were retrieved using the search criteria. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria including 12 retrospective case series, 3 retrospective cohort studies, and a single randomised control trial. Nine studies involved supercharged end-to-side transfer (SETS), 6 involved end-to-end transfer (ETE), and only 1 study compared results between SETS and ETE transfers. A total of 269 patients underwent nerve transfers. In the ETE subgroup, the average time to nerve transfer was 7 months, with a mean follow-up period of 24.5 months. Post-procedure, 100% (37/37) patients recovered intrinsic function of BMRC ≥1, and the average recovery time was 3.6 months. A total of 85% of patients recovered intrinsic function of BMRC ≥3. In the SETS group, the average time to nerve transfer was 2.5 months. The average follow-up in this cohort was 13.2 months. About 93% (145/156) recovered the intrinsic function of BMRC ≥1, and the average time to recovery was 7 months. About 75% of patients recovered the intrinsic function of BMRC ≥3 in their first dorsal interossei.ConclusionAIN to ulnar nerve transfer carries low morbidity, and there is low quality evidence to suggest recovery of intrinsic muscle function compared with conventional primary repair techniques. The supercharged end-to-side transfer (SETS) seems to be more favourable compared with end-to-side transfer. Outcome measurements are highly variable amongst studies, making standardisation difficult. Results of further trials are highly anticipated in this exciting field of peripheral nerve surgery.

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Beware of ulnar nerve entrapment in flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures.

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