Flexible intramedullary nails for unstable fractures of the tibia in children. An eight-year experience
V R P Vallamshetla1, U De Silva, C E Bache
1Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK. vrpdr@yahoo.co.in
Insights
Flexible intramedullary nailing effectively treats pediatric tibia fractures, including open ones. This method offers a high success rate with a short healing time and excellent functional outcomes for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Surgical Techniques
- Bone Fracture Management
Background:
- Flexible intramedullary nailing is increasingly utilized for pediatric long-bone fractures.
- Unstable tibia fractures in children require effective and minimally invasive treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of flexible intramedullary nailing for unstable pediatric tibia fractures.
- To assess complication rates and healing times associated with this technique.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 56 unstable tibia fractures in 54 children treated between 1997 and 2005.
- Analysis of patient records and radiographs, with follow-up for at least two months post-nail removal.
Main Results:
- No nonunions were observed in the 56 fractures.
- The average time to clinical and radiological union was ten weeks.
- Complications included residual angulation, leg-length discrepancy, infection, and fixation failure, but all patients achieved excellent functional outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Flexible intramedullary fixation is a safe and effective treatment for both open and closed unstable tibia fractures in children.
- The technique provides excellent functional results with a low incidence of nonunion.
Abstract:
Flexible intramedullary nailing is gaining popularity as an effective method of treating long-bone fractures in children. We retrospectively reviewed the records and radiographs of 56 unstable fractures of the tibia in 54 children treated between March 1997 and May 2005. All were followed up for at least two months after the removal of the nails. Of the 56 tibial fractures, 13 were open. There were no nonunions. The mean time to clinical and radiological union was ten weeks. Complications included residual angulation of the tibia, leg-length discrepancy, deep infection and failures of fixation. All achieved an excellent functional outcome. We conclude that flexible intramedullary fixation is an easy and effective method of management of both open and closed unstable fractures of the tibia in children.
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