[Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children].

Supracondylar fractures are the most common elbow lesions in children. The standard procedure for displaced fractures has up to now been crossed-wire osteosynthesis. A new option is elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). We retrospectively reviewed the results of all supracondylar fractures that were treated in our department from 2000 to 2005 by the ESIN technique with the aim to provide evidence of advantages and disadvantages of this method. The mean age of the 60 patients included in the study (27 female, 33 male) was 5.9 years (range 1-12 years). Most patients presented with type II fractures (85%), 10% sustained a type III fracture and 5% the most displaced type IV. All patients were treated with the ESIN technique and underwent clinical and radiological follow-up examinations during the next 3-5 months. Average duration to implant removal was 100 days. All patients achieved free range of movement of the affected elbow. No visible malpositions, pseudarthrosis or nerve lesions were observed, in comparison to the conventional surgical technique (crossed-wire osteosynthesis) with up to 19% for these complications. Furthermore, due to the excellent stability of ESIN, the patients do not need a cast and movement is encouraged immediately. Our good experiences encourage us to continue applying the ESIN technique.