ULNAR NERVE PALSY - A COMPLICATION FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS FIXATION OFSUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURES OF THE HUMERUS IN CHILDREN

Four children, who developed ulnar nerve palsy following percutaneous fixation of supracondylar fracture of the humerus by Kirschner wires ( K-wires) are reported. In one the K-wire was removed within 48 h and t he neuropraxia recovered immediately. In the other three patients reco very took an average of 6 weeks after removal of the wives and only af ter exploration of the ulnar nerve. The nerve was found to be trapped behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Release and subsequent tr ansposition of the nerve resulted in recovery. Certain measures are su ggested to prevent this avoidable complication in the treatment of sup racondylar fractures of the humerus in children. (C) 1996 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd.