Techniques for direct radiographic visualization during closed pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures in children

After reduction of a displaced supracondylar humerus fracture, the distal humerus must be easy to visualize; radiographic techniques in which the forearm overlaps the distal humerus make interpretation of fracture reduction difficult. Eighteen patients with displaced supracondylar humerus fractures were treated with reduction that was maintained manually with a variant of Dunlop's extension traction. This allows direct fluoroscopic evaluation of Baumann's angle, the contour of the distal humerus, the pin insertion site, and the angle of pin insertion. In young patients with a thin distal humerus and swollen elbow, the easiest pin placement may be achieved by inserting the pin on the lateral view (after the anteroposterior view confirms a satisfactory reduction).