Percutaneous pin fixation of intercondylar fractures in young children

T-condylar fractures of the distal humerus are very rare in children. When they do occur they tend to affect those approaching skeletal maturity. Most agree that the undisplaced fracture can be managed conservatively. With in creasing displacement and comminution the opinions tend to differ. As an al ternative to open reduction and internal fixation we report the use of clos ed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation for displaced and comminuted T-c ondylar fractures in a series of three young children. In addition to the c lassical medial and lateral column fixation we report the use of a transcon dylar wire to stabilise the distal fragments and discuss the use of intra-o perative arthrography in low supracondylar fractures to exclude a missed in tercondylar extension on plain ways. Although small this series represents the largest series of children less than eight years of age.