Delayed presentation of fracture of lateral condyle of humerus in pediatric age group treated by ORIF and ulnar peg grafting: A case series

Background: Fractures of lateral condyle of humerus in pediatric age group, the most common being distal humerus epiphyseal injury, are commonly associated with delayed presentation to terminal health care providers. Reasons accounted might be at every level, right from the patient to the physician. In the backdrop of existing disputed treatment strategy operative v/s non-operative treatment of fractures having more than 3-week duration of injury, same were treated by open reduction and k wire fixation using ulnar peg graft. Final functional result was evaluated with longest follow up of over 1 year. Materials and Methods: Twenty children having fracture of lateral condyle of humerus with duration of trauma more than 3 week were included in the prospective study. Age ranged from 5 years to 15 years. Average age was 8 years. Among the 20 patients, 8 were male and 12 were female. Average time of presentation was after 5 weeks of injury. Seven patients had milch type 1 injury and 13 patients had milch type II injury. All patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using k wires and ulnar peg graft. The follow-up period was over 1 year. Result: Results were evaluated using radiograph, and functional results were evaluated using the Liverpool elbow scoring system. In the present series, all fractures united with 92% excellent, 5% good, and 3% poor results. Poor results were associated with greater displacement of fracture, prior repeated attempts of close reduction, and history of massage. Conclusion: Being an epiphyseal injury and a common occurrence, fracture of lateral condyle of humerus in pediatric age group are commonly maltreated, with error contributed right from parents to even physician. Common reasons of delayed presentation are ignorance on parents′ side, malpractice by some bone-setters, poorly done radiograph, inaccurate radiographic interpretation by the physician, and poor selection of treatment methods.