The Ilizarov fixator for pediatric and adolescent supracondylar fracture variants

Most displaced pediatric and adolescent supracondylar elbow fractures can be treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP). The Ilizarov method provides a minimally invasive technique for obtaining and maintaining a reduction for supracondylar variants when CRPP fails. This study is a retrospective review of 13 patients who underwent treatment of acute atypical supracondylar fractures with the Ilizarov fixator. Each fracture exhibited one or more of the following indications for the Ilizarov method: inability to obtain reduction due to anterior displacement of the distal humerus, inability to obtain reduction due to the interval since the injury, comminution, and intercondylar extension of the fracture. Ages ranged from 4 to 16 years. Time in the fixator ranged from 29 to 61 days. There were no permanent nerve injuries, deep infections, broken implants, or heterotopic ossification. All healed with a satisfactory carrying angle and range of motion.