The aim of this study was to compare the results of the lateral entry pin technique and the crossed pin technique in treatment of Gartland type III humerus supracondylar fracture.

Seventeen patients (group I) underwent surgery using the lateral entry pin technique, and 33 patients (group II) underwent surgery using the crossed pin technique for Gartland type III humerus supracondylar fracture in Hanyang University Seoul Hospital between January 2011 and January 2014. Maintenance of reduction was compared between the 2 surgical techniques by measuring changes in Baumann angle and lateral humerocapitellar angle after surgery and after pin removal in groups I and II. In addition, the final carrying angle and level of loss of functional movement were measured for comparison of clinical results between the 2 groups. Occurrence of ulnar nerve palsy in the 2 groups was also examined.

The mean Baumann angle and lateral humerocapitellar angle changes were 3.3° and 3.7 in group I and 3.1° and 3.4° in group II, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups. Clinical results showed that the changes in the final carrying angle and range of motion were 2.9° and 2.6° in group I and 2.6° and 3.0° in group II, respectively, indicating no significant differences between the 2 groups. In terms of nerve damage, 1 patient in group II had temporary iatrogenic ulnar nerve palsy.

The lateral entry pin technique may be regarded as an appropriate treatment that reduces the risk of iatrogenic ulnar nerve palsy and provides satisfactory results in Gartland type III humerus supracondylar fracture patients.