Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
A Rat Tibial Growth Plate Injury Model to Characterize Repair Mechanisms and Evaluate Growth Plate Regeneration Strategies
Published on: July 4, 2017
[Vascular injury following supracondylar humerus fractures in children]
Emin Özkul1, Mehmet Gem2, Celil Alemdar2
1Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Diyarbakır, Turkey. eminozkul21@hotmail.com.
Insights
Children with absent distal pulses after supracondylar humerus fractures require careful re-evaluation. Most cases resolve without ischemia, but those with persistent signs need prompt vascular repair.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Vascular Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Supracondylar humerus fractures are common in children.
- Absent distal pulses post-fracture raise concerns for vascular compromise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess outcomes in pediatric patients with absent distal pulses after supracondylar humerus fractures.
- To determine the necessity and timing of vascular intervention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 42 pediatric patients with pulseless hands post-fracture.
- Evaluation of preoperative/postoperative neurological status, injury details, and surgical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Radial pulse returned in 27 patients post-reduction.
- Doppler confirmed pulse in 10, with 2 initially pulseless but resolving within 24 hours.
- 3 patients (7%) with persistent ischemia underwent immediate vascular exploration and repair.
Conclusions:
- Close monitoring is crucial for pediatric patients with pulseless hands post-fracture.
- Prompt vascular repair is indicated for those with persistent ischemic signs.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the children with absent distal pulses following supracondylar humerus fractures.
Methods:
Forty-two pulseless hand patients who were treated due to supracondylar humerus fractures were evaluated retrospectively. The evaluation included symptoms presented at preoperative and postoperative neurological examinations, mechanism of injury, time from injury to presentation, time from injury to surgery, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.
Results:
In 27 patients, radial pulse was palpated following reduction. A stream was identified in ten patients with Doppler, and no stream was identified in two patients. These two patients had no ischemia and they presented with a stream on Doppler one day after the surgery. Immediate vascular exploration was applied in three patients (7%) who retained ischemia after the reduction and was unable to present a stream on Doppler. One patient underwent primary suture, and the other two were managed with saphenous vein graft and primary repair.
Discussion:
It is vital to re-evaluate patients presenting with a pulseless hand following supracondylar humerus fracture; the ones with no ischemia or ischemic sign should be closely followed, and the ones retaining ischemic signs should be managed with primary vascular repair.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
01:19Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
01:12Arteries of the Upper Limbs