Epidemiological characteristics of pediatric supracondylar fractures in a tertiary hospital in Iran

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Bone and Joint research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran ‎University of ‎Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.‎

10.22038/abjs.2024.73619.3409

Abstract

Background: Supracondylar humerus fracture (SHF) is the most common fracture observed in children. The present study aimed to assess the characteristic parameters in one of the most extensive available pediatric SHF series referred to a tertiary hospital in Iran.

Methods: The medical profiles of the SHF patients who were referred to our tertiary hospital between January 2017 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria entailed age < 14 years and a radiographically confirmed diagnosis of SHF. The collected data included age, gender, side of injury, mechanism of injury, season of the injury, concurrent complications, type of fracture, and treatment.

Results: A total of 1,309 patients with a mean age of 7.7±2.7 years were included in this study. The incidence of SHF was 1.8-fold higher in males, while the mean age of incidence was significantly lower in female patients (7.2 vs. 8 years; P<0.001). Falling was the most frequent mechanism of injury (97%). Gartland type I was the most prevalent type of injury (n=482; 36.8%). Moreover, the majority of fractures were extension-type (n=1,249; 95.4%). Most patients were managed conservatively (n=785; 60%). Concurrent fractures as well as neuralgic, vascular, and muscular complications were present in 3%, 1.45%, 1.22%, and 0.5% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, SHF is prevalent among the Iranian pediatric population. Therefore, greater awareness is required regarding the high incidence of this fracture in this population and its adequate management with respect to concurrent complications, particularly neurovascular compromise.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 12 March 2024
  • Receive Date: 08 July 2023
  • Revise Date: 07 March 2024
  • Accept Date: 24 January 2024