LONG-TERM RESULTS OF ELASTIC INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING IN PEDIATRIC FEMORAL SHAFT FRACTURES

Background: In our retrospective study, we evaluated pediatric femoral shaft fractures sustained by children of five to fifteen years of age, all of whom were treated with elastic intramedullary nailing.
Methods: Between 1990 and 2000, 32 femoral fractures of 30 children, 14 (47%) polytraumatized, with an average age of 9.9 (6-14), were treated with elastic intramedullary nailing.
Results: Average follow-up was 105.3 (25-145) months. Three cases (9.3%) were re-operated due to developed angulations related to weight bearing in the early postoperative period. In three (9,3%) of our cases we diagnosed more than five degrees valgus deformity, in one (3.1%) anterior angulation and in 1 (3.1%) internal rotation. The average of absolute value of length discrepancies was determined as 9 mm (-15mm - +15mm).
Conclusion: Elastic intramedullary fixation is a recommended method, especially for polytraumatized patients, because of facilitates of patient care, recovers social activity quickly, and causes minimal soft tissue damage. However angular or rotational deformations are also possible. Selection criteria and follow up period is important and treatment of the complications must be on time.

ÇOCUK FEMUR CÝSÝM KIRIKLARINDA ELASTÝK ÝNTRAMEDÜLLER ÇÝVÝLEMENÝN GEÇ DÖNEM SONUÇLARI