OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of obesity with fracture characteristics and outcomes of operatively treated pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter. SETTING: Two Level I pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients (age < 18 years) with operatively treated Gartland type III and IV fractures 2010-2014. INTERVENTION: Closed or open reduction and percutaneous pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Incidence of Gartland IV fracture, pre-operative nerve palsy, open reduction and complication rates. RESULTS: Patients in the obese group had a significantly higher likelihood of having a Gartland IV fracture (NOT OBESE: 17%, OBESE: 35%, p =0.007). There was a significantly higher incidence of nerve palsy on presentation in the OBESE group (NOT OBESE: 20%, OBESE: 33%, p=0.03). No significant differences were found between groups regarding incidence of open reduction, compartment syndrome and rates of re-operation. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that obese children with a completely displaced supracondylar humerus fractures have an increased risk of Gartland type IV and pre-operative nerve palsy compared to normal weight children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of obesity with fracture characteristics and outcomes of operatively treated pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter. SETTING: Two Level I pediatric hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients (age < 18 years) with operatively treated Gartland type III and IV fractures 2010-2014. INTERVENTION: Closed or open reduction and percutaneous pinning of supracondylar humerus fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Incidence of Gartland IV fracture, pre-operative nerve palsy, open reduction and complication rates. RESULTS:Patients in the obese group had a significantly higher likelihood of having a Gartland IV fracture (NOT OBESE: 17%, OBESE: 35%, p =0.007). There was a significantly higher incidence of nerve palsy on presentation in the OBESE group (NOT OBESE: 20%, OBESE: 33%, p=0.03). No significant differences were found between groups regarding incidence of open reduction, compartment syndrome and rates of re-operation. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that obesechildren with a completely displaced supracondylar humerus fractures have an increased risk of Gartland type IV and pre-operative nerve palsy compared to normal weight children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.