Experience and volume are determinantive factors for operative management of supracondylar humeral fractures in children

Background: We compared radiographic and operative results of pediatric patients undergoing surgical treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fracture (SCHF) according to the surgeon's experience.

Methods: During an 11-year period (2006-2016), we reviewed the medical records of 236 patients operated on for Gartland III SCHF in our institution. Operative (operative time, time to implants removal) and radiographic parameters (Baumann and lateral capitellohumeral angles) were assessed. A malalignment was defined if there was a difference in the Baumann angle or lateral capitellohumeral angles >15° or if malrotation existed compared with normative values. We compared surgeon experience and volume (number of patients operated on by year).

Results: In patients operated on by less experienced surgeons (<1 year, n = 69), operative time (61 vs. 41 minutes) and time to implant removal (48 vs. 40 days) were significantly longer (P < .001). Radiographic parameters did not differ between less and more experienced surgeons. Operative parameters improved through the 20 first cases of the younger surgeons. In surgeons managing fewer than 5 patients per year, malalignment and conversion to open reduction were more frequent (all P < .05).

Conclusion: Experience and volume are 2 crucial parameters influencing the quality of management of pediatric patients undergoing surgical treatment for displaced SCHF. They should be taken into account in daily practice, especially when making the decision to operate on these patients out of day time.