[Intramedullary nailing of unstable forearm shaft fractures in children]

Forearm diaphyseal fractures in children are commonly treated by conservative management. In about 5% of cases, however, unstable fractures occur and require surgical intervention. We prefer the intramedullary pinning procedure, which has already been published in a similar version in 1913 by Schöne and in 1947 by Bsteh. 41 patients were followed up between 1979 and 1988. One instance with a severe infection of a second-degree open fracture required two reoperations and was completely restored with a very good result. An overall assessment of our collective yielded 31 patients with findings rated as very good, four patients rated as good, five as satisfactory and one as moderate.