Objective:To identify the risk factors for premature proximal femur physeal closure (PPC) in children treated surgically for femoral neck fractures.Methods:Data of 106 children with an open triradiate cartilage who were treated surgically for a femoral neck fracture were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, laterality, mechanism of injury, the type of fracture, initial displacement, time to reduction, fixation method, whether the implant crossed the physeal plate, reduction method, reduction quality and development of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) were collected. PPC of the proximal femur was assessed through postoperative 6-12 months radiographs.Results:A total of 106 patients with an open triradiate cartilage were followed up, with an average duration of 20.4±13.3 months (range, 6-86 months). The overall rate of PPC following paediatric femoral neck fractures treated surgically was 36.8% (39/106). Among the 39 patients with PPC, 25 were males and 14 were females; the average age at the time of injury was 9.7±3.6 years (range, 3-15 years); 23 patients were involved in left hips and 16 were in right; the mechanisms of injury included motor vehicle accident in 5 fractures, falling injury in 21, sports-related injury in 12 and other causes in 1 fracture; two hips were Delbet type I, and 26 hips and 11 hips were Delbet type II and III, separately; type II and III of initial displacement were involved in 26 and 13 patients, separately; the mean duration from injury to surgery was 3.3±2.8 d (range, 1-14 d); 2 hips were treated with Kirschner wires, 35 hips with screw fixation, and the remaining 2 hips underwent screw and plate fixation; 2 hips had the hardware crossing the proximal femoral growth plate, and the remaining 37 hips didn’t; 15 hips were treated by closed reduction and internal fixation, and the other 24 hips underwent open reduction and internal fixation; anatomical reduction was achieved in 14 patients, acceptable reduction in 24 hips and unacceptable reduction in 1 hip; 24 hips developed AVN at the latest follow-up and the remaining 15 hips didn’t. Statistical analysis indicated that age ( t=3.875, P< 0.001), the severity of initial displacement ( Z=-2.118, P=0.034) and the rate of AVN ( χ2=42.280, P< 0.001) in patients with PPC were significantly higher than those in patients without; Logistic regression analysis confirmed age ( OR=1.288, P=0.011) and AVN ( OR=40.336, P< 0.001) as risk factors for PPC. ROC curve analysis indicated 10 years was the cut off age to significantly increase the rate of PPC. The rate of PPC in patients aged over 10 years (63.6%, 21/33) was significantly higher than that (24.7%, 18/73) in those aged less than 10 years ( χ2=14.848, P< 0.001). Conclusion:Age over 10 years and AVN are risk factors for PPC in children with femoral neck fractures treated surgically.

Compared with the pediatric femoral neck fracture described by the Delbet-Colonna classification, femoral neck fracture with a comminuted posteromedial column is characterized by a more special fracture location. Therefore, it is more difficult to deal with, leading to higher incidences of avascular necrosis of femoral head, coxa vara deformity, and delayed union postoperatively. This paper reviews recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of this specific kind of fracture in the aspects of anatomy and function of the posteromedial column of the femoral neck, and special features, surgical treatment and complication avoidance concerning this fracture, hoping to arouse interest from pediatric surgeons in this specific fracture which has not been described by the Delbet-Colonna classification.

Objective:To investigate the biomechanical properties of a new pediatric femoral neck system in the fixation of pediatric femoral neck fractures with a free fracture fragment.Methods:Ten Sawbones model bones were randomly divided into 2 even groups ( n=5), all of which were made into Delbet Type Ⅱ femoral neck fractures with a Pauwels angle of 70°. A free bone block was removed from the bottom at the proximal end of the fracture to simulate a femoral neck fracture with a free fragment. Group A were fixed with traditional inverted triangle cannulated screws, and group B with a new pediatric femoral neck system. After the 2 groups of specimens were placed on a biomechanical testing machine, each specimen was subjected to a static axial compression test, an anti-torsion test and a cyclic load test in turn. The biomechanical results were compared between groups A and B in aspects of axial compression stiffness, torsional stiffness and maximum displacement difference. Results:The axial compression stiffness [(321.718±5.770) N/mm] and torsional rigidity [(1.448±0.079) N·m/°] in group B were significantly higher than those in group A [(266.722±4.788) N/mm and (1.282±0.023) N·m/°] ( P<0.05). The maximum displacement difference in the cyclic load test in group B [(0.063±0.038) mm] was also significantly smaller than that in group A [(0.117±0.056) mm] ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In fixation of pediatric femoral neck fractures with a free fracture fragment, the new pediatric femoral neck system can lead to better biomechanical stability than the traditional inverted triangle cannulated screws.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis and treatment of humeral medial epicondyle fracture combined with radial neck fracture in children and adolescents.Methods:The clinical data were retro-spectively analyzed of the 12 pediatric patients with fractures of the humeral medial epicondyle plus the radial neck who had been admitted from February 2015 to August 2021 to Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Fuzhou. There were 6 males and 6 females, with an age of (11.1 ± 2.5) years. According to the Papavasiliou classification, the humeral medial epicondyle fractures were type Ⅱ in 7 cases, type Ⅲ in 2 cases and type Ⅳ in 3 cases; according to the Judet classification, the radial neck fractures were type Ⅰ in 3 cases, type Ⅱ in 4 cases and type Ⅲ in 5 cases. Two Judet-Ⅰ radial neck fractures were missed by X-ray exam-ination but diagnosed by CT examination. Of the humeral medial epicondylar fractures, 9 were treated by open reduction and hollow screwing and 3 by closed reduction and Kirschner wiring. Of the radial neck fractures, 8 were treated by closed reduction and elastic intramedullary nailing and 4 conservatively. Fracture healing was followed up by postoperative radiographs. At the last follow-up, the carrying angles were measured, Kim Elbow Function Score (KEPS) was used to evaluate the functional recovery of the injured limb, and related complications were recorded.Results:All the 12 patients were followed up for (40.0±25.6) months. Fractures headed after (6.3±1.2) weeks. At the last follow-up, the carrying angle was 15.5°±2.6° on the injured side and 14.7°±2.0° on the healthy side, showing no significant difference ( P>0.05); KEPS was (96.3±5.3) points on the injured side and (98.8±2.3) points on the healthy side, showing no significant difference either ( P>0.05). No incision infection, bone nonunion, elbow valgus, joint stiffness or other complications were found; the postoperative elbow stability recovered well. Conclusions:As the fracture of the humeral medial epicondyle combined with the radial neck fracture is a special type of injury of straightened elbow during valgus stress in children and adolescents, it is likely to be missed in diagnosis. The goal of treatment is good functional recovery by restoring the articular match and elbow stability.

Objective:To investigate the clinical results of Bouquet technique [multiple elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESIN)] in the treatment of unstable pediatric femoral shaft fractures.Methods:From August 2016 to October 2019, 25 pediatric patients (26 sides) with unstable femoral shaft fracture were treated with Bouquet technique at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Fuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University. They were 17 boys and 8 girls, with a mean age of 7.8 years at injury (from 5 to 11 years). Their body weight ranged from 23 kg to 62 kg, with an average of 36.3 kg. Long oblique fractures happened in 6 cases (6 sides) and comminuted fractures in 19 cases (20 sides). Ten cases (11 sides) were fixated with 3 ESINs (type 3A) and 15 cases (15 sides) with 4 ESINs (type 4A in 6 cases and type 2A+2B in 9 cases). The multiple ESINs were inserted from the medial and lateral cortex of the distal femur through the fracture sides until the head ends of the nails were distributed evenly at the proximal femur. Recorded were the fracture healing time, complications, fracture reduction quality and hip function at the last follow-up.Results:All the 25 patients were followed up for 18 to 27 months (mean, 22.4 months). Their fractures got united after 4 to 8 weeks (mean, 6.3 weeks). One case presented with femoral overgrowth of 1.1 cm and another case with nail tail irritation. Follow-ups revealed that none of the patients had such complications as incision infection, limited joint movement, nonunion or delayed fracture union. The limb alignment recovered well with no angulation, shortening or rotational deformity. At the last follow-up, according to the efficacy evaluation system for intramedullary nails by Flynn et al., the quality of reduction of femoral shaft fractures was assessed as excellent in 24 sides and as good in 2 sides, giving an excellent and good rate of 100% (26/26). According to the hip Harris scoring system, the hip function was assessed as excellent in all the 26 sides, giving an excellent rate of 100% (26/26).Conclusion:Bouquet technique is safe and effective in the treatment of unstable pediatric femoral shaft fractures, leading to fine clinical results.

Objective:To explore the effects of residual rotational deformity after supracondylar fractures of the humerus on the surgical efficacy in children.Methods:From January 2020 to December 2021, 453 patients with Gardland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fracture were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Fuzhou. They were assigned into 2 groups according to the quality of reduction. In the group of residual rotational deformity of 69 cases (group A), there were 44 boys and 25 girls, with an age of (6.3±2.9) years. The Baumann angle was maintained at 65° to 80° on the anteroposterior view of intraoperative fluoroscopy and the anterior humeral line passed through the anterior 1/3 of the capitellum on the lateral view with a normal carrying angle (from 4° to 23°). In the anatomical reduction group of 384 patients (group B), there were 242 boys and 142 girls, with an age of (5.9±2.7) years. The anteroposterior view and the lateral view of intraoperative fluoroscopy showed anatomical reduction of the fracture ends. The fluoroscopy frequency, operation time, intraoperative carrying angle, the carrying angle at 6 months after operation and the Flynn score at 6 months after operation were recorded and compared between the 2 groups.Results:There was no significant difference in gender, age, side or fixation time between the 2 groups before operation, showing they were comparable ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (6.3±2.9) months after operation. The median intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency was 6 (4, 6) times in group A, significantly lower than that in group B [8(6, 8)], and the median operation time was 20 (20, 25) min in group A, significantly shorter than that in group B [30(25, 30) min] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between group A and group B in the intraoperative rying angle (19.7°±2.7° versus 20.2°±2.8°) or in the carrying angle at 6 months after operation (17.4°±2.7° versus 17.6°±2.7°) ( P>0.05). By the Flynn scoring for the elbow joint at 6 months after operation, group A had 28 excellent cases, 30 good cases, 9 moderate cases, and 2 poor cases, yielding an excellent and good rate of 84.1%(58/69); group B had 241 excellent cases, 104 good cases, 34 moderate cases, and 5 poor cases, yielding an excellent and good rate of 89.8%(345/384). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). No cubitus varus, delayed union, non-union, compartment syndrome, or iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury was observed in either group at postoperative 6-month follow-up. Conclusions:A certain degree of residual rotational deformity is acceptable after supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children, because it may have a little significant effect on the postoperative outcomes but may reduce fluoroscopy frequency and shorten operation time.

Objective:To evaluate the ultrasonography-guided percutaneous leverage reduction in the treatment of pediatric radial neck fractures.Methods:From May 2016 to May 2018, 42 patients with Judet Ⅲ or Ⅳ radial neck fracture were treated at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Fuzhou. They were 15 boys and 27 girls, aged from 3 to 12 years. All of them were treated by percutaneous leverage reduction and Métaizeau technique. The operative procedures were guided by ultrasonography in 20 cases and by C-arm fluoroscopy in 22 cases. Postoperative evaluation was based on Métaizeau imaging criteria, Tibone and Stoltz functional criteria; complications such as radial nerve injury were recorded.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the ultrasonography-guided group and the fluoroscopy-guided group in preoperative general data, showing comparability ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of Métaizeau imaging, Tibone or Stoltz functional scores ( P>0.05). The frequency of fluoroscopy was (2.7±0.6) times for the ultrasonography group and (14.6±3.4) times for the fluoroscopy group while the operation time averaged (25.8±5.9) min for the former and (38.1±9.2) min for the latter, showing significant differences ( P<0.05). No postoperative complications were observed in the ultrasonography group while 4 cases of radial nerve injury in the fluoroscopy group, also showing significant difference between the 2 groups ( P< 0.05). Conclusion:Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous leverage reduction is a suitable surgical treatment of radial neck fracture in children, because it is simple, effective and safe.