Titanium elastic nailing in diaphyseal femoral fractures of children below six years of age

AIM To report the clinical and radiographic results of titanium elastic nail(TEN) in diaphyseal femoral fractures of children below age of six years.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 27 diaphyseal femoral fractures in children younger than six years treated with TEN between 2005 and 2015 was conducted. Patients were immobilized in a cast for 5 wk and the nails were removed from 6 to 12 wk after surgery. Twenty-four cases were clinically and radiographically re-evaluated using the Flynn's scoring criteria, focusing on: Limb length discrepancy, rotational deformity, angulation, hip and knee range of motion(ROM), functional status, complications, and parent's satisfaction.RESULTS Sixteen males and eight females with a mean age of 3.2 years at the time of treatment were re-evaluated at an average follow-up of 58.9 mo. No cases of delayed union were observed. The mean limb lengthening was 0.3 cm. Four cases experienced limb lengthening greater than 1 cm and always minor than 2 cm. Twelve point five percent of the cases showed an angulation < 10°. Complete functional recovery(hip and knee ROM, ability to run and jump on the operated limb) occurred in 95.7% of cases. Complications included two cases of superficial infection of the TEN entry point, one case of refracture following a new trauma, and one TEN mobilization. According to the Flynn's scoring criteria, excellent results were obtained in 79.2% of patients and satisfactory results in the remaining 20.8%, with an average parent's satisfaction level of 9.1/10.CONCLUSION TEN is as a safe, mini-invasive and surgeon-friendly technique and, considering specific inclusion criteria, it represents a useful and efficacy option for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures even in patients younger than six years of age.

Length unstable femoral fractures:A misnomer?

BACKGROUND Flexible intramedullary nailing(FIMN)is relatively contraindicated for pediatric length unstable femoral fractures.AIM To evaluate FIMN treatment outcomes for pediatric diaphyseal length unstable femoral fractures in patients aged 5 to 13 years.METHODS This retrospective study includes pediatric patients(age range 5-13 years)who received operative treatment for a diaphyseal femoral fracture at a single institution between 2013 and 2019.Length unstable femur fractures treated with FIMN were compared to treatment with other fixation methods[locked intramedullary nailing(IMN),submuscular plating(SMP),and external fixation]and to length stable fractures treated with FIMN.Exclusion criteria included patients who had an underlying predisposition for fractures(e.g.,pathologic fractures or osteogenesis imperfecta),polytrauma necessitating intensive care unit care and/or extensive management of other injuries,incomplete records,or no follow-up visits.Patients who had a length stable femoral fracture treated with modalities other than FIMN were excluded as well.RESULTS Ninety-five fractures from ninety-two patients were included in the study and consists of three groups.These three groups are length unstable fractures treated with FIMN(n=21),length stable fractures treated with FIMN(n=45),and length unstable fractures treated with either locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator(n=29).P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Patient characteristic differences that were statistically significant between the groups,length unstable with FIMN and length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator,were average age(7.4 years vs 9.3 years,respectively),estimated blood loss(29.2 mL vs 98 mL,respectively)and body mass(27.8 kg vs 35.1 kg,respectively).All other patient characteristic differences were statistically insignificant.Regarding complications,length unstable with FIMN had 9 total complications while length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator had 10.Grouping these complications into minor or major,length unstable with locked IMN,SMP,or external fixator had 6 major complication while length unstable with FIMN had 0 major complications.This difference in major complications was statistically significant.Lastly,when comparing patient characteristics between the groups,length unstable with FIMN and length stable with FIMN,all characteristics were statistically similar except time to weight bearing(39 d vs 29 d respectively).When analyzing complication differences between these two groups(9 total complications,0 major vs 20 total complications,4 major),the complication rates were considered statistically similar.CONCLUSION FIMN is effective for length unstable fractures,having a low rate of complications.FIMN is a suitable option for length stable and length unstable femur fractures alike.

弹性钛制髓内针固定治疗儿童四肢长骨骨折(附100例分析)

目的探讨弹性钛制髓内针在儿童四肢长骨骨折中的应用效果。方法100例不同类型的四肢长骨骨折患儿,年龄2～12岁。上肢骨折18例(包括尺桡骨骨折15例,桡骨颈骨折3例,肱骨干骨折1例),下肢骨折82例(包括股骨干骨折64例,胫骨干骨折18例)。采用弹性钛制髓内针内固定治疗。结果随访2～24个月,100例中,优93例,良5例,可2例,优良率98%,髋、膝、踝关节功能全部恢复,无畸形愈合及断针。结论弹性钛制髓内针内固定治疗儿童四肢长骨骨折,具有切口小、创伤小、操作方便、固定牢固、愈合快、取出简便等优点,临床应用疗效确切。

弹性钛制髓内针固定治疗儿童四肢长骨骨折

目的探讨弹性钛制髓内针在儿童四肢长骨骨折中的应用效果。方法 100例不同类型的四肢长骨骨折患儿,年龄3～16岁。上肢骨折18例(包括尺桡骨骨折15例,桡骨颈骨折3例,肱骨干骨折1例),下肢骨折82例(包括股骨干骨折64例,胫骨干骨折18例)。采用弹性钛制髓内针固定治疗。结果随访2～24个月,100例中,优93例,良5例,可2例,优良率98%髋、膝、踝关节功能全部恢复,无畸形愈合及断针。结论弹性钛制髓内针内固定治疗儿童四肢长骨骨折,具有切口小、创伤小、操作方便、固定牢固、愈合快、取出简便等优点,临床应用疗效确切。