The suprocondylar fracture of the humerus is the most common elbow fracture in children. But it is difficult for the treatment and also frequently associated with variable complications. Accurate anatomical reduction, the least regional trauma as
possible, and the maintenance of reduction are necessary to obtain excellent results. From Jan. 1983 to Dec. 1990, sixty patients with supracondylar fracture of the humerus were admitted and treated by open reduction and internal fixation at our
hospital. Among them, forty-eight patients who were followed up more than one year were reviewed retrospectively.
1. The average age was 7.7 years and the sex ratio was 5 : 1 in male to female. The most common causes of fracture was fall from a height in 31 cases(64.4%) and followed by slip down in 14 cases(29.1%). The ratio of left to right was 2:1.
2. All cases were classified in extension type and Gartland type III. In the injuries associated with fracture, there were 7 neural injuries, 6 ipsilateral forearm fractures, 4 vascular injuries, 1 impending Volkmann's ischemia and 1 cerebral
contusion.
3. The causes of operation were the failure of closed reduction in 35 cases(72.8%), displacement after closed reduction in 6 cases(12.5%), vascular injury in 4 cases(8.4%), open fracture in 2 cases(4.2%), and delayed treatment in 1 case(2.1%).
4. Posterior approach was done in 39 cases(81.2%), anteromedial in 5 cases(10.4%), and lateral in 4 cases(8.4%). Postoperative complications were found in 10 cases, such as 6 transient ulnar nerve palsy, 2 limitation of motion, 1 cubitus valgus
deformity, and 1 tourniquet palsy.
5. By Flynn's criteria, the satisfactory result was in 45 cases(93.7%), and unsatisfactory in 3 cases(6.3%).
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