Percutaneous K-wire Fixation Of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures In Children

Description: Ulnar nerve injury following medial wire placement in percutaneous fixation of supraconylar humeral fractures is well recognised. We investigated techniques that may be used to minimise the occurrence and severity of nerve lesions when using percutaneous methods. 4 sheep post euthanasia had K-wires passed through percutaneous nerves before fixation to underlying bone. From our experiments we were able to conclude that the use of sharp wires of minimum diameter passed perpendicular to the long axis of the nerve before spinning into bone was commenced resulted in minimal nerve injury when compared with our other methods of wire passage.
L.A.Ashton, J.P.H.Stephen, R.Pattinson, M.Solomon, V.Mamo & E.H.Bates : Percutaneous K-wire Fixation Of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures In Children - Techniques To Minimise Occurrence Of Ulnar Nerve Injuries Through Experiments On Sheep. . The Internet Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 2000 Volume 1 Number 1 Full Text