Introduction: There remains little evidence to discern whether K-wires or screws have different outcomes in the management of lateral condylar mass (LCM) fractures in children. We studied 77 displaced (Jacob types II and III) fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in 77 children in order to infer the relative benefit of one strategy over another.

Materials and methods: Between 1995 and 2005, we identified 77 LCM fractures in the departmental database. Information was collected from theatre-charts, casenotes and radiographs. We analysed demographic data, fracture features, treatment modalities, complications, and clinical and radiographic results. We excluded all complex LCM associated with elbow dislocations, olecranon fractures and bi-condylar fractures. The mean follow-up was 5.3 months (range, 6 weeks to 3 years).

Results: We reviewed the results of screw osteosynthesis (n=44) versus K-wire (n=33) at an average age of 5.3 years (range, 8 months to 10.9 years). There were 49 boys and 28 girls. The average interval between the injury and the operation was 1.6 days. The mean duration of implant removal was 3.6 weeks (for K-wires, removed without anaesthesia) and 20.7 weeks (for screws, removed under general anaesthesia). There was no non-union in this series. None of the patient needed a revision of osteosynthesis. Superficial wound infection (all K-wires) was found in three patients, which was completely settled with antibiotic therapy. One patient had cubitus valgus deformity (screw), which required a corrective osteotomy. Loss of range of motion of 10–50° was found in 6 cases (3 in each group).

Conclusions: Based on our observations, we believe that K-wire fixation had comparatively similar outcome to screw fixation, although, this necessitates a second procedure for removal of screw.