Radiation Exposure in The Treatment of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: Comparison of Two Fixation Methods
Gregory Firth1
Paulien Bijlsma1
Dimitrios Manoukian1
Claudia Maizen1
Manoj Ramachandran1
Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Aim:
The study aims to determine the estimated radiation exposure of two different types of fixation (crossed vs lateral-entry K-wires) for displaced supracondylar fractures at a Major Trauma Centre in London.
Methods:
A retrospective review was performed between 2015 and 2019 in children (<16 years old) who underwent either Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP) or open reduction and K wire fixation for a displaced supracondylar fracture (Gartland II, III and IV) of the humerus.
Results:
The overall mean radiation dose and duration with crossed K-wire fixation was statistically lower when compared with two lateral K-wires. The mean radiation dose increased with increasing Gartland Grade - for Gartland Grades II, III and IV respectively.
Conclusion:
The current study showed statistically significant decreased radiation dose in crossed K-wire fixation method, compared to lateral-entry fixation. No difference was found regarding the cosmetic/functional outcome when Flynn’s criteria were applied.
