RESUMO
BACKGROUND: humeral fracture (HF) in children requires a specialized management to achieve an adequate reduction and fixation, as well as a prompt attention to prevent complications. Our objective was to show advantages and disadvantages of HF treatment in relation to operating time and post-surgical recovery. METHODS: Cross study, retrospective, comparative based on the reviewing of 108 patients' files with HF type II and III of Holmberg. There were two groups, one underwent an open reduction and internal fixation and the other one a close reduction and pegging. RESULTS: There were 63 males (58.3 %) and 45 females (41.7 %) with an average age of 8.6 years (range: 4 to 14 years), with the right extremity being the most affected in 50.9%; the most frequent fracture was the type III in 77.8 % (84 cases); the average operating time for an open reduction was 60.3 minutes and for a close reduction 30.8 minutes. Student t test showed a statistical difference (p < 0.01). The recovery time was 4 weeks with a flexion of 13.6 degrees for group I. Group II had a 4 week recovery time with an inflection of 38.7 degrees . CONCLUSIONS: surgical time was shorter in the closed reduction; flexion at four weeks had a better clinical recovery.