PURPOSETo evaluate the efficacy of intramedullary Kirschner wires for the treatment of unstable tibial shaft fractures in children.

METHODSThis prospective study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College from June 2005 to June 2010. Sixty-six children having closed fracture of the tibial shaft with a mean age of 7.7 years (range, 2-14 years) were recruited from emergency and outpatient department. They were treated with percutaneous intramedullary Kirschner wires. The clinical results of our study were rated on the basis of the criteria of union, nonunion, delayed union or malunion. All children were followed for one year.

RESULTSChildren achieved union in a mean time of 8 weeks (range, 6-10 weeks). Postoperatively, three children (4.55%) had delayed union, one (1.52%) valgus deformity of lower leg, three (4.55%) post- operative knee pain and twelve (18.18%) skin irritation at pin site.Wires were removed after 8-22 weeks without any complications. No patient was lost to follow-up. The results were excellent in 95.45% and good in 4.55% children.

CONCLUSIONThis technique is cost-effective, simple, quick to perform, safe and reliable and avoids pro- longed hospitalization with good results.