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Abstract

Background: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are among the most common pediatric elbow injuries, typically occurring in children aged 5 to 7 years. Prompt and effective management is crucial to prevent long-term functional impairment. Dorgan’s lateral cross pinning technique, introduced to avoid ulnar nerve injury associated with traditional medial-lateral pinning, offers a potentially safer and biomechanically stable alternative. Despite its clinical utility, local evidence on its outcomes remains limited, warranting further evaluation in institutional settings.
Objective: To determine the functional outcome of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children treated with Dorgan’s surgical technique at a tertiary care center.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from 01 November 2024 to 01 May 2025 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar. Ninety children aged 5 to 15 years with radiographically confirmed supracondylar humerus fractures were enrolled through consecutive non-probability sampling. All patients underwent closed reduction followed by percutaneous fixation using Dorgan’s technique. Postoperative immobilization was provided with an above-elbow cast. Functional outcomes were assessed at 60 days using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), categorized as excellent (90–100), good (75–89), fair (60–74), or poor (<60). Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.
Results: The mean age was 9.12 ± 3.05 years, and the mean weight was 31.96 ± 11.69 kg. Males comprised 61.1% (n=55) and females 38.9% (n=35). Functional outcomes were excellent in 76.7% (n=69), good in 16.7% (n=15), and fair in 6.7% (n=6). No poor outcomes were reported. Complications included infection in 12.2% (n=11) and malunion in 3.3% (n=3).
Conclusion: Dorgan’s lateral-entry technique demonstrated high efficacy with excellent functional outcomes and low complication rates, supporting its use as a safe and effective approach for pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.