Pediatric upper extremity trauma

Abstract

To provide a review of the literature published during the past year regarding trauma in the pediatric upper extremity. The majority of studies focused on fractures about the elbow, with a greater emphasis on supracondylar humeral fractures.

The studies evaluating supracondylar fractures have demonstrated that both a lateral entry point alone and combined medial and lateral entry points for fixation are safe and effective treatment methods for supracondylar fractures. Adequate reduction and proper pin placement are requisites to a satisfactory outcome. This procedure should occur in an operating room environment under general anesthesia and with a semi-sterile technique if desired. Loss of reduction occurs when improper techniques are used.

This review will afford the surgeon treating pediatric upper extremity trauma sound techniques for various fractures as well as techniques to avoid potential complications.