Single Bone Fixation with Flexible Intramedullary Nail for Displaced Both Forearm Bone Shaft Fractures in Children.
10.4055/jkoa.2012.47.5.360
- Author:
Yeo Hon YUN
1
;
Mi Hyun SONG
;
Dong Jun KIM
;
Sang Jin SHIN
;
Jae Kwang KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wwiiw@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
paediatric both forearm bone fracture;
single bone fixation;
flexible intrameduallary nail fixation
- MeSH:
Bone Nails;
Child;
Congenital Abnormalities;
Forearm;
Humans;
Immobilization;
Nails;
Radius
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
2012;47(5):360-367
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: In the present study, the usefulness of single bone flexible intramedullary nail fixation in pediatric displaced both forearm bone shaft fractures was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006, we treated 14 consecutive pediatric both forearm bone shaft fractures using a single bone flexible intramedullary fixation. The average age of patients was 8.6 years (range, 3-12 years). We nailed the one bone of the two that showed either greater deformity in the initial radiographs, or difficulty in maintaining reduction, which in our cases was usually the radius. The operation time, duration of cast removal, functional recovery and complications were evaluated. The bony alignment, maintained until bony union, was analyzed by radiographic assessment. These data were compared with 27 cases of both bone nailing, which was the standard treatment in our institution prior to 2006. RESULTS: All cases in both groups healed without secondary intervention. All cases recovered to a normal functional status after postoperative average 12 weeks. In regards to their clinical and radiographic results, there was no significant difference between the single bone fixation group and the both bone fixation group, except that there was a shorter operation time, and longer period of cast immobilization, for the single bone fixation group. CONCLUSION: Single bone flexible intramedullary fixation is a useful method for the treatment of displaced forearm bone shaft fractures in children. The strategy of fixating the bone that exhibits greater deformity or difficulty in maintaining reduction, which was usually the radius, was found to be effective in our cases.
