Retrospective Evaluation of the Results of Elastic Intramedullary Nailing in Pediatric Femoral, Tibial, and Forearm Diaphyseal Fractures

Year 2019, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 226 - 232, 31.12.2019

Zekeriya Okan Karaduman

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.646579

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Objective:
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of
pediatric femur, tibia, and diaphyseal fractures treated with elastic
intramedullary nails.

Method:
Overall 50 patients (34 male and 16 females; mean age: 7.7 years; range 5–14
years) diagnosed with femur, tibia, and forearm diaphyseal fractures were
treated with titanium elastic nails (TEN). Of these, 18 were femur, 16 were
tibia, and 16 were forearm diaphyseal fractures. One femoral shaft fracture was
fragmented, and one tibia fracture was an open fracture. Open reduction was
performed in two patients, whereas closed reduction was performed in the other
patients. Anteroposterior (AP) and Lateral radiographies were used in the
follow-up of patients. The patients were evaluated according to the range of
motion, ability to use extremities, hospitalization duration, union duration of
the fractures, inequality that may occur in the extremities, and development of
complications. Flynn scoring system was used for evaluating the cases.

Results:
Union of the fractures was achieved in an average of 6.9 (range: 4–11) weeks.A
patient had a tibia fracture in the front-back plane AP with 5 varus
angulation, 10 posterior angulation with a forearm fracture in the lateral
plane, and 2.5 mm shortness was observed in an another forearm fracture. All
patients, except one, had normal range of motion and could comfortably use the
extremities. No nonunion, epiphysial growth arrest, and infection was observed
in any patient. According to the Flynn criteria; perfect results were achieved
in 34 patients and successful results were achieved in 16. Average union
duration was 9.6 (range: 5–14) weeks, hospitalization duration was 3.5 (range:
3–6) days, and follow-up duration was 12.4 (range: 6–19) months.

Conclusions:
Titanium intramedullary elastic nail is a treatment method that can be
successfully performed on pediatric femur, tibia, and forearm diaphyseal
fractures.

Keywords

Titanium intramedullary elastic nail, pediatric femur diaphysis fracture, pediatric tibia diaphysis fracture, pediatric forearm diaphysis fracture, surgery

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