Management of "floating elbow" in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Traumatology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Floating elbow is a rare pediatric injury involving simultaneous supracondylar and ipsilateral forearm fractures.
• Previous management strategies ranged from conservative treatment to aggressive surgical fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of closed reduction and K-wire fixation for pediatric floating elbow injuries.
• To assess functional outcomes and complication rates associated with this treatment approach.

Main Methods:

• Four pediatric cases of floating elbow were managed over three years.
• All injuries were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation of both fracture components.

Main Results:

• Excellent functional recovery with full elbow range of motion was achieved at three months post-treatment.
• No patients developed cubitus varus deformity, pin-related complications, or delayed union.
• Modified Flynn's criteria were used for outcome assessment, with all cases rated as excellent.

Conclusions:

• Early closed reduction and K-wire fixation provide stability for pediatric floating elbow injuries.
• This technique effectively prevents complications such as compartment syndrome and elbow deformities.