Orthopedic versus surgical treatment of Gartland type II supracondylar humerus fracture in children.

The choice of orthopedic or surgical treatment for Gartland type II supracondylar humeral fractures remains controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the outcomes in orthopedic and surgical treatment in type II supracondylar humeral fractures in children treated in the Orthopedic and Traumatology Children Unit of our tertiary hospital over the period between 2007 and 2010. This study suggests that orthopedic treatment is a valid option for the treatment of this type of fractures, with radiological and functional results as good as those obtained with surgical treatment, avoiding surgical complications and decreasing the hospital stay.