Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38651447›Full record

ArticleJournal of pediatric orthopedics2024

Screw Diameter and Use of a Washer Affect Symptomatic Implant Removal Rates in Pediatric Medial Epicondyle Fractures.

Matthew J Siebert, Emily Zhang, Senah E Stephens, Aaron J Wey, Kaleb Eppich, Angela P Presson, Stephanie M Holmes, Christopher A Makarewich

Open access · greenAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
1.5field-weighted citation impact, top 17% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 6 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Outcomes and complications of metallic vs. bioabsorbable screw fixation for displaced medial epicondylar fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Implant Removal Complications in Pediatric Orthopedics.Revista brasileira de ortopedia · 2025
    Article
  4. [Implant Removal Complications in Pediatric Orthopedics].Revista brasileira de ortopedia · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Matthew J SiebertDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Emily ZhangDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Senah E StephensDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Aaron J WeyDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Kaleb EppichDivision of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Angela P PressonDivision of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Stephanie M HolmesDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Christopher A MakarewichDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
University of Utah · USPrimary Children's Hospital · US

Funding

CTSA UM1 Program at University of UtahUM1TR004409 · NCATS · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · PI RACHEL HESS, Jennifer Juhl Majersik · 2023 to 2026
$21.9M
NCATS NIH HHS UM1 TR004409
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveMedial epicondyle fractures are a common pediatric injury. When operative, cannulated partially threaded screws, with or without a washer, are commonly utilized. These implants may need to be removed after full healing if symptomatic. There is mixed evidence regarding the influence of a washer on rates of implant removal, and the influence of screw size has not been studied. We aim to determine the rate of symptomatic deep implant removal for each fixation type and identify factors associated with the need for removal.

methodsThis was an IRB-reviewed, retrospective, case-cohort study. Patients treated at our institution between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2019, age 18 years old or younger, with a medial epicondyle fracture managed operatively with 4.0 or 4.5 mm cannulated screws with or without washers were included. Patients with multiple operative ipsilateral elbow fractures and those who underwent implant removal for reasons other than pain or irritation were excluded. Removal rates were compared between screw sizes (4.0 vs 4.5 mm), as well as with and without a washer using a Cox proportional hazards model.

resultsIn total, 151 patients met the inclusion criteria, 54 with symptomatic hardware removed and 97 without symptomatic hardware removed. A significantly higher number of patients treated with 4.5 mm screws compared with 4.0 mm screws underwent removal of symptomatic deep implants (50% vs 30%, P = 0.033). In a multivariable Cox regression model adjusting for age and ulnar nerve status, when no washer was used, the hazard ratio (HR) for symptomatic hardware removal for 4.5 mm screws was 2.92 times the HR for 4.0 mm screws (95% CI: 1.35-6.29). When a 4.0 mm screw was used, the HR for symptomatic hardware removal for a washer was 3.24 times the HR without a washer (95% CI: 1.53-6.84).

conclusionImplant removal rates are influenced by screw size and the use of a washer. These results may help guide implant choice and counsel families regarding the rate of symptomatic implant removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-therapeutic level, case-control study.

Indexed as

Bone ScrewsDevice RemovalFracture Fixation, InternalAdolescentCase-Control StudiesChildChild, PreschoolElbow InjuriesFemaleHumansHumeral FracturesMaleRetrospective Studies

Identifiers

PMID38651447
PMCPMC11236501
OpenAlexW4395048508

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.