A new fluoroscopy technique for supracondylar humerus fractures

Introduction: To compare two different intraoperative fluoroscopy techniques used for closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) in pediatric patients with supracondylar humerus fractures (SHF). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients who underwent SHF surgery from May 2011 to June 2019 were included in the study. During surgery, the classical fluoroscopy method (CFM) was used in 21 patients and the new fluoroscopy method (NFM) was used in the remaining 15 patients. Results: The mean age was 5.14 +/- 1.13 years in the NFM group and 5.38 +/- 1.36 years in the CFM group. Mean operative time was 38.14 +/- 5.92 minutes in the CFM group and 21.54 +/- 3.48 minutes in the NFM group (p=0.001), while mean fluoroscopy times were 25.65 +/- 3.91 seconds and 39.84 +/- 7.50 seconds in the NFM and CFM groups, respectively (p=0.001). The NFM and CFM groups demonstrated similar functional capacity as measured by the Mayo Elbow Score (p=0.168). Direct radiographs obtained to measure Baumann's angle also showed that the two groups had similar results (p=0.848). Conclusions: The NFM is a reliable and successful technique as it leads to shorter operative and fluoroscopy times, as well as providing improvement in functional scores and radiological outcomes in short-term follow-up.