[Epidemiology of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children in Bangui, Central African Republic].

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and anatomical aspects of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children treated at the National University Hospital Center (NUHC) of Bangui, Central African Republic. Between January 1992 and March 1995 a total of 119 documented cases involving children between the ages of 0 and 15 years were treated. Most patients were boys (62%) between 3 and 8 years of age. Fracture occurred during play in 74% of cases on the left side (92 cases) more often than the right. The mechanism of fracture was extension in 115 of the 119 cases with only four open fractures. Most fractures (68.1%) were severe (Lagrange Grade 3 and 4). These findings which are comparable to those reported in other countries confirm the high incidence of supracondylar fracture of the humerus and need for appropriate treatment in African orthopedic facilities.