Methods: Between May 2007 and September 2010, 86 participants (age, 1.6-13 years; average age, 6.7 years) were randomly divided into two groups. All participants had been diagnosed with lateral condyle fractures classified as Jacobs type II (unstable) or III. Closed reduction failed in all participants. Therefore, open reduction was performed under general anesthesia. One absorbable screw was used for fixation in the experimental group, while two 1.8-mm K-wires were used in the control group. At 4-6 weeks postoperatively, the participants' plaster casts were removed, and functional training was started.