Abstract

Background: In children supracondylar fracture of the humorous is one of the most common fractures in the first decade of life. This study was conducted to establish the efficacy and the accuracy of a new own method for measuring the Trochleocapitellar index (TCI) in the management of supracondylar humeral fracture in children versus Baumann’s angle.

Methods: This study made on base AP elbow radiograms and clinical charts of 54 children that were treated due to supracondylar fracture of the elbow. Cases included were of either gender with age range from four to 13 years with a supracondylar fracture presenting within 72 hours of the reduction.

Outcome measures: Two measure roentgen logic modalities studied for comparison: Baumann’s angle and TCI were taken into consideration when examining the AP roentgenograms (immediately after the reduction and during 1-3 months thereafter).

Results: During 1-3 months after the reduction Baumann’s angle modality gave normal results in 51 (94.4%), valgus result in one (1.9%) and varus result in two (3.7%) patients. While TCI showed normal results in 31 (57.4%), valgus result in one (1.9%) and varus results in 22 (40.7%) patients. Correlation was found between the measurements of the normal Baumann’s angle and normal TCI immediately after fracture reduction (r=0.75, p<0.001) and on the period between one to three months follow-up (r=0.54, p<0.001). TCI was found as more accurate for detection of cubitus varus.

Conclusions: Authors recommends post reduction measurement of the TCI in supracondylar fractures to determine the adequacy of reduction.

Keywords: Children, supracondylar fracture of the humorous, cubitus varus, cubitus valgus, Baumann’s angle, trochleocapitellar index