Stabilization of forearm fractures in children using intramedullary Kirschner wires

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Traumatology

Background:

• Minimally invasive intramedullary stabilization is a common treatment for pediatric long bone fractures.
• Indications for this technique have expanded in recent years.
• Forearm fractures in children are frequent and require effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of intramedullary Kirschner wire stabilization for pediatric forearm fractures.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of this minimally invasive approach.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 118 pediatric patients (1-17 years) treated between 1997 and 2004.
• 191 forearm fractures (116 radius, 75 ulna) were stabilized with intramedullary Kirschner wires under general anesthesia and X-ray guidance.
• Manual repositioning was performed before wire insertion.

Main Results:

• No intraoperative complications were reported.
• A low rate of minor soft tissue infection (4.2%) was observed at the wire insertion site.
• Excellent or good clinical outcomes were achieved in 94.9% of patients, with satisfactory outcomes in 5.1%.
• No bone infections or growth cartilage damage occurred.
• Mean hospitalization was 1.6 days for isolated forearm fractures.

Conclusions:

• Intramedullary Kirschner wire stabilization is a technically straightforward and minimally invasive procedure for pediatric forearm fractures.
• The technique yields high rates of good clinical outcomes.
• It effectively reduces hospitalization duration, treatment costs, and patient stress.
• This method is recommended as the primary surgical option for pediatric forearm fractures.