Neurovascular disorders in supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus in children and adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/PS.2025.4(89).101108Keywords:
supracondylar fractures of distal humerus in pediatric patientsAbstract
Supracondylar fracture of the distal humerus (SFDH) is a common traumatic injury in pediatric practice, accounting for about 60% of fractures in the elbow joint. Complications caused by nerve and vascular damage can be primary or secondary, arising during the treatment of fractures. Nerve damage occurs in 5.8-14% of children, and the frequency of vascular injuries ranges from 3.2% to 14.3%. A distinction is made between a “pink, pulseless, perfused hand” and a “pale, cold, pulseless hand.” Both cases require urgent treatment. However, a number of issues remain debatable regarding the content, nature, and scope of such treatment, as well as the timing of its implementation.
Aim - to determine the current tactics for treating neurovascular disorders in SFDH in children and adolescents. The research methodology is based on the recommendations of the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines".
The search for literature sources was carried out using modern domestic and foreign databases, the depth of the search - over the last 5-7 years using the following terms: "supracondylar fractures of distal humerus in pediatric patients", "treatment", "neurovascular disorders". According to the results of the analysis of literary sources, the tactics of treating vascular complications are based on establishing the degree of their impairment, which is traditionally defined as a pink/pale hand without a pulse. In both cases, urgent reduction of fragments and internal fixation are recommended. Further tactics depend on the results of monitoring the state of blood supply, in the objectification of which three-phase Dopplerography plays an important role. With negative indicators and signs of compartment syndrome, urgent surgical intervention is indicated to determine the factors of vascular disorders and their elimination. The treatment of neurological disorders depends on the degree of sensory and motor disorders. In case of neurapraxia, expectant management is justified, while in case of neurotmesis, which is characterized by persistent neurological deficit, neurosurgical intervention is indicated.
Conclusions. Neurovascular complications in SFDH in children and adolescents occur in about 14% of cases, requiring urgent reduction and internal fixation of the fragments. Further treatment tactics for damage to nervous structures depend on the degree of sensory and motor disorders, and for vascular disorders - on the indicators of clinical and instrumental monitoring.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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