Outcome of lateral humeral condylar mass fractures in children associated with elbow dislocation or olecranon fracture

Of 2,502 elbow/humeral injuries treated at our department between 1990 and 2005, we identified a cohort of 20 lateral condylar mass (LCM) fractures of the humerus in children associated with elbow dislocation (n = 12; mean age 8.2 years) or with olecranon fracture (n = 8; mean age 4.1 years). Eight patients with undisplaced fracture pattern were treated conservatively yielding a satisfactory outcome. Good to excellent results were obtained in the majority (85%). Overall, the result was poor in three patients (15%; 25% of the operated cohort) due to terminal 20–30° loss of extension. There was no obvious difference in the outcome between the isolated displaced LCM fractures described in the literature and this cohort. Testing of elbow stability by examination under anaesthesia is stressed. Undisplaced fracture patterns need to be closely observed. Parents should be warned about the likelihood of some degree of unfavourable outcome in the displaced LCM fractures with associated elbow injuries.