The results of intramedullary fixation with titanium elastic nails in children with femoral fractures
Abstract
Methods: The study included 35 femoral fractures of 34 patients (20 boys, 14 girls; mean age 8.3 years; range 5 to 14 years) who were treated by intramedullary fixation with TEN. The results were evaluated according to the scoring system proposed by Flynn et al. Time to union and residual angulations were assessed on anteroposterior and mediolateral radiographs. Femoral anteversion angles and limb lengths were measured in comparison with the normal side by computed tomography (CT) in 14 patients and the results were compared using the Wilcoxon test. The mean followup period was 28 months (range 4 to 48 months).
Results: According to the criteria by Flynn et al., the results were excellent in 25 fractures (%71.4), successful in nine fractures (%25.7), and poor in one fracture (%2.9). The mean time to union was 7.4 weeks (range 5 to 12 weeks). Mediolateral and anteroposterior radiographs showed an angulation of 10 degrees or less in three fractures and of 8 degrees in one fracture, respectively. Limb length discrepancy of less than 2 cm was detected in seven patients (%20.6). Femoral anteversion angles measured by CT revealed significant retroversions on the fractured sides (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Intramedullary fixation with TEN may be the preferred method for the treatment of femoral fractures in children aged 5 to 15 years. However, residual rotation detected by CT seems to be a technical challenge to be improved.
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Memduh Heybeli
This is me
Hasan Muratli
This is me
Levent Celebi
This is me
Serap Gulcek
This is me
Ali Bicimoglu
This is me
Publication Date
September 11, 2006
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2004 Volume: 38 Number: 3