Fixing displaced medial epicondyle elbow fractures with suture anchors
Technique and Preliminary Results of Medial Epicondyle Fracture Fixation Using Anchors and Review of the Literature
This research tests whether using suture anchors to fix displaced medial epicondyle elbow fractures in children under 15 leads to reliable healing with fewer hardware-related problems.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 9 (estimated) |
| Ages | 1 Year to 14 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Strasbourg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07342959 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational report describes a technique of inserting bone anchors with sutures to secure displaced medial epicondyle fragments in pediatric patients and presents preliminary outcomes from a single pediatric surgery center. Patients under 15 admitted to Hautepierre Hospital with displaced medial epicondyle fractures treated with anchor fixation are included and outcomes such as fracture union, elbow function, and complications are recorded. The paper also reviews existing literature on anchor fixation compared with traditional screw or pin methods, focusing on issues like hardware migration, soft-tissue irritation, fragment comminution, and the need for implant removal. Results are presented descriptively to inform whether anchor fixation appears safe and effective in this patient group and to guide further comparative research.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children under 15 years old admitted to the pediatric surgery department at Hautepierre Hospital with recent displaced medial epicondyle fractures requiring surgical fixation are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with non-displaced fractures, open fractures, associated fractures, older adolescents or adults, or those treated at other centers are unlikely to benefit from the results of this technique report.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, anchor fixation could lower hardware-related complications and reduce the need for later implant removal while maintaining stable fracture healing and good elbow function.
How similar studies have performed: Anchor fixation has been reported in case series and small cohorts to reduce some hardware complications compared with screws or pins, but high-quality comparative data remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Minor patient (under 15 years of age) * Admitted for recent displaced fractures of the medial epicondyle of the elbow * Treated in the pediatric surgery department at Hautepierre Hospital * Fractures requiring surgical treatment with anchor fixation. Exclusion Criteria: * Non-displaced fractures * Open fractures and associated fractures
Where this trial is running
Strasbourg
- Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique - CHU de Strasbourg - France — Strasbourg, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Philippe GICQUEL, MD, PhD
- Email: Philippe.Gicquel@chru-strasbourg.fr
- Phone: 33 3 88 12 82 65
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.