What is the Utility of Routine Post-Operative Radiographs for Surgically-Managed Paediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures?

Description

The presentation by Eliane Rieux Trottier explores the utility of routine post-operative radiographs in the management of surgically treated pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. It addresses the background of supracondylar humerus fractures being the most common surgically treated pediatric fractures and outlines the hospital protocol for follow-up after surgical intervention. The study focuses on determining whether routine radiographs affect clinical management, based on a retrospective review of over 1,000 patients treated between 2008 and 2015. The results highlight that only a small percentage of patients required additional immobilization or corrective surgery influenced directly by radiographic findings post-operatively. The findings suggest minimal utility in routine imaging, advocating for its restriction to cases where intraoperative stability is uncertain. The ongoing prospective study aims to assess the safety of a protocol that eliminates routine post-operative x-rays, instead using dynamic fluoroscopy to evaluate stability during the procedure.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-220820

Specialties

Conferences