Clinical results of intramedullary nailing following closed or mini open reduction in pediatric unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures
Abstract
Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 45 children who were treated with intramedullary nailing for unstable middle third diaphyseal forearm fractures. Before intramedullary nailing, 24 patients (group 1; 5 girls, 19 boys; mean age 10 years; range 5 to 14 years) underwent open reduction with a mini incision, and 21 patients (group 2; 5 girls, 16 boys; mean age 11.5 years; range 8 to 13 years) underwent closed reduction. There were 16 closed, seven Gustilo-Anderson type 1, and one type 2 open fractures in group 1, and 15 closed and six type 1 open fractures in group 2. The mean time to surgery was 5 days (range 1 to 20 days) in group 1, and 3.1 days (range 1 to 5 days) in group 2. Rush rods or Kirschner wires were used for fixation. In group 1, both radius and ulna were fixed in all the patients, whereas fixation involved both bones in 18 patients, and only ulna in three patients in group 2. Functional results were evaluated according to the criteria of Price et al. The mean follow-up period was 33 months (range 12 to 89 months) in group 1, and 37 months (range 14 to 52 months) in group 2.
Results: Union was obtained in a mean of 7.1±1.0 weeks (range 6 to 9 weeks) in group 1, and 6.5±1.0 weeks (range 6 to 10 weeks) in group 2. The implants were removed after a mean of 7.2±1.7 weeks (range 6 to 10 weeks) in group 1, and 8.1±0.4 weeks (range 8 to 10 weeks) in group 2. The two groups differed significantly with respect to union and implant removal times (p=0.036 and p=0.002, respectively). According to the criteria of Price et al., the results were excellent in 19 patients (79.2%) and 18 patients (85.7%), and good in five patients (20.8%) and three patients (14.3%) in group 1 and 2, respectively. There was no significant difference between the functional results of the two groups (p>0.05). Complications showed a similar profile in the two groups, being one major (4.2%) and seven minor (29.2%) in group 1, one major (4.8%) and eight minor (38.1%) in group 2. None of the patients had complications such as limb-length discrepancy, epiphyseal damage, angular or rotational deformity, synostosis, or limited elbow or forearm range of motion.
Conclusion: Closed reduction or open reduction with a mini incision before intramedullary nailing yield similar functional results, with a similar complication profile in the treatment of pediatric unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures.
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Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Merter Yalcinkaya
This is me
Ahmet Dogan
This is me
Ufuk Ozkaya
This is me
Sami Sokucu
This is me
Onat Uzumcugil
This is me
Yavuz Kabukcuoglu
This is me
Publication Date
May 29, 2010
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2010 Volume: 44 Number: 1