Femoral shaft fracture treated with Hoffmann external skeletal fixator in young teens

External skeletal fixation has been proved to be an effective method in treating complex femoral shaft fracture in adult patients with multiple trauma, extensive soft tissue injury or vascular injury which need reconstructive procedures. This method has the advantages of less extensive surgical exposure, easy wound access, and early ambulation. Twenty-two cases of femoral shaft fracture, between the ages of 10 and 15, were treated with the Hoffmann external skeletal fixator in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1981 to 1985. The average time for union and removal of fixator was 72 +/- 8 days (from 44 to 150 days). The average leg length discrepancy was 0.6 +/- 0.3 cm. There was no deep wound infection, nonunion, rotationary deformity in closed fracture. All patients regained their range of motion of knee within 3 months after removal of the Hoffmann apparatus. The advantages of simple technique, less extensive surgical exposure, early ambulation, easy nursing care, patient comfort and no significant complications make it a good alternative method for treatment of femoral shaft fracture in young teens.