Pediatric wrist fractures: variations in management across countries. An evidence-based summary of evidence

Luca Labianca1, Cosma Calderaro1, Nicola Maffulli1,2,3

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, S. Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology "Sapienza" University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa, 1035 00189 Rome, Italy.

British Medical Bulletin
|October 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Management of pediatric wrist fractures varies globally due to resource differences. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to establish best practices for consistent, effective care worldwide.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pediatric Traumatology

Background:

  • Distal radius fractures are common in children.
  • Significant international variation exists in managing pediatric wrist fractures.
  • Treatment decisions are influenced by fracture type, severity, and local healthcare resources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify international variations in pediatric wrist fracture management.
  • To highlight challenges in resource-limited settings.
  • To advocate for global best practices.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of published peer-reviewed articles.
  • Searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Main Results:

  • Management strategies for pediatric wrist fractures differ substantially across countries.
  • Healthcare resource variability and cultural practices significantly impact treatment approaches.
  • Developing regions face particular challenges due to limited resources, leading to potential therapeutic delays and inadequate care.

Conclusions:

  • Complexities in pediatric wrist fracture treatment include therapeutic delays, anesthesia limitations, and lack of fluoroscopy.
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are crucial for evidence-based decision-making.
  • Prioritizing RCTs in pediatric wrist fracture management will enhance global care consistency and effectiveness.
Abstract