SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2023
K-wire versus screws in the fixation of lateral condyle fracture of humerus in pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Postoperative displacement as a predictor of early elbow motion limitation following fixation of pediatric lateral condyle fractures.Journal of children's orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Effect of minimally invasive surgery guided by arthrography on surgical progress, postoperative recovery and long-term prognosis of lateral humeral condyle fractures in children: a retrospective cohort study.Translational pediatrics · 2026Article
- KIRSCHNER WIRESActa ortopedica brasileira · 2026Review
- The effect of different internal fixation materials on Jakob type III lateral humeral condyle fractures in pediatric patients.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Article
- Comparison of efficacy between Kirschner wire and cannulated screw internal fixation after pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture osteotomy.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Comparative analysis of surgical outcomes in children with type 3 and type 4 lateral physeal condylar humerus fractures in China: Closed Reduction-PerCutaneous Pinning (CRPP) vs. Open Reduction-Internal Fixation (ORIF).Journal of orthopaedics · 2024Article
- Comparative Outcomes of Early, Elective, and Delayed Treatment for Lateral Condyle Fracture of the Humerus in Children: A Retrospective Study from a Single Center in Turkey (2013-2021).Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLateral condyle fracture of the humerus is the second most common elbow fracture in children. Non-displaced lateral condyle fractures can often be managed with cast and conservative care, while reduction and fixation are often used to treat displaced lateral condyle fractures. Traditionally, K-wire fixation has been used for displaced lateral condyle fractures, but recently fixation using screws has been advocated in some studies. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the difference in outcomes and complications between the two different fixation methods for the treatment of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in pediatric patients.
methodsPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used for this review. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were used for study selection. Studies comparing K-wires and screw fixation in displaced lateral condyle fractures in pediatric patients were included. Clinical outcomes using the Hardacre criteria, infection, limitation of range of motion of the elbow, lateral condyle overgrowth, delayed union, nonunion, and avascular necrosis were compared. Data were analyzed using the meta package in R version 4.2.2, and random-effects or fixed-effects models were used according to heterogeneity.
resultsOne randomized controlled study and three retrospective cohort studies were included, with a total of 240 patients (K-wire:118, screw:122). The clinical outcome using the Hardacre criteria was not different between the groups (P = 0.54), but the risk of infection (risk ratio [RR] = 5.52, 95% CI: 1.42-21.48, P = 0.01) and limitation of range of motion (RR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.54-9.18, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the K-wire fixation group than in screw fixation group.
conclusionsThe use of screws for fixation after reduction in the treatment of lateral condyle fracture of the humerus in children decreases the risk of superficial infection and elbow stiffness compared with the use of K-wire. Although removal of the implant under general anesthesia is necessary, screw fixation can be considered in displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children.
trial registrationPROSPERO (CRD42023415643).
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