Evaluation of the late neurologic deficits accompanied by hypertrophic scars and keloids in children with elbow fractures

In this study, the relation between hypertrophic scar and keloid (HSc) lesi ons around incisions and late neurologic deficits was investigated in opera ted elbow fractures in children. Six elbow fracture patients with HSc lesio ns were evaluated for neurologic deficits with late onset. The fractures we re all closed and treated with open reduction and internal fixation. No neu rologic deficit was detected before surgery and in the early postoperative periods. Late neurologic deficits observed in these patients were evaluated according to British Medical Research Committee scoring scale on admission and after therapy. In the reoperations for neurologic deficits, the nerve segments were found to be compressed in intensive scar tissue. Typical pseu doneuromas were observed in the proximal part of compression; however, the corporal integrity of the nerves was not interrupted. External neurolysis w ere performed in all patients. Excellent improvements in sensory and motor functions were detected and no recurrence occurred in followup. Elbow fract ure patients, especially those with HSc lesions around their incisions, sho uld be followed up for possible neurologic deficits with late onset.