Aims: To compare open and closed surgery in supracondylar fractures (SCHF) of the children and evaluate the complications with delayed surgical timing. Methods: 99 children with displaced extension-type SCHF were treated surgically. Between July 1996 and May 1997 all of the SCHF were treated with open reduction through a posteromedial incision (44 patients, mean age 10.7). This goup didnñt have closed reduction attempt previously. Between May 1997 and July 1998 most of the SCHF were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous crossed pin þxation (55 patients, mean age 7.6). The patients were followed radiologically and clinically 35 months (27–46) for the open and 21 months (16–27) for the closed reduction group. They were evaluated with complications, the clinical and radiological valgus, ßexion and extension degrees compared with the contr-lateral normal elbow. The average period between the injury and the operation was 15 (11–48) hours for open and 17 (10–72) hours for closed group. Results: Valgus degree loss was 5.1û (0û Ð 20û) for open surgical group and, 3.6û (0û Ð 23û) for closed group against the contrlateral elbow. Flexion deþciency was 8.61û (0û Ð 20û) for open and 5.25û (0û Ð 15û) for closed group. Extension gap was 6.23û (0û Ð 22û) at the open group, while closed group had a loss of 0.6û (0û Ð 12û). Conclusions: Open and closed groups did not have statistically signiþcant difference for ßexion range and valgus angles. Extension gap was signiþcantly better for closed treatment group. A reasonable delay of the treatment does not increase the risk of complications.

Aims: Carpal tunnel release is one of the most frequently used surgical procedures of hand surgery. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a new alternative technique of the standard open transverse carpal ligament release. In this study we present the effectiveness and complications of two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Methods: Between August 2000 and October 2001, we performed two portal (modiþed Chow technique) endoscopic carpal tunnel release to the 19 hands of 17 patients. Fifteen of these were female, two were male and mean age was 54.6 years (38–62 years). Mean follow up period was 8 months (4–21 months). Clinical evaluation was conþrmed with positive ENMG values. Patients were evaluated with the postoperative pain, numbness, scar sensation, returning to daily activities, and complications. Results: All the patients were satisþed with the relief of pain. They all returned to daily activities within two weeks after the operation. There was no hypersensitive scar formation. Numbness didnñt change at the six patients. In four patients, complication due to 3–4 common digital nerves injury occurred. Two of them explorated and interfascicular nerve repair was performed. Conclusions: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has become popular because of the minimal perioperative morbidity, short hospitalization, early rehabilitation of the hand, less postoperative pain and less scarring. Our experience is the same agreement with those advantages. But digital nerve complications were more frequent then the open technique. Especially at the learning period the surgeon should have to be more careful for the complications.