Radial neck fractures are uncommon in children, and most cases were treated by conservative treatment or manual reduction. But if proximal fragment is angulated more than 30 degrees, and displaced more than 30%, operative treatment is needed. Operative treatment is also needed in cases of closed reduction failure or in type IV of Salter-Harris classification. If open reduction is not performed, limitation of motion, altered carrying angle and radiologic change occur. We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who had operative treatment for radial neck fractures in children.

From April 1996 to December 1998, 12 patients with radial head fracture, were admitted to our hospital and were treated by operation. The average age of 9 years and 6 months (range 5 years 11 months to 14 years). Falling down was most common cause of injury. Seven cases were treated by open reduction and 5 cases by closed reduction. On open reduction group, 3 cases were fixed by Kirschner wire and 4 cases fixed by mini-screw. On closed reduction group, 3 cases were reduced percutaneously using steinmann pin, 1 case reduced using curet, and I case was fixed with Kirschner wire.

Ten cases were evaluated as good or excellent by criteria for judging results of radial neck fracture by Tibone and Stortz. Three cases had complication of heterotopic ossification, two cases had complication of limitation of motion. and one case had complication of pin loosening.

The operative treatment for radial neck fracture in children, improved the results of physical examination and roentgenographic evaluation. So operative treatment is needed for radial neck fracture in children which are more than 30 degrees angulation, more than 30% displacement and with displaced epiphyseal plate injury.