[External fixation of the lower limb in children]

18 children (13 boys, 5 girls) with displaced fractures of the femur (13 cases) and tibia (5) after road accidents were treated with Wagner external fixation. 5 fractures were open and 13 closed. 9 also had head injury and were unconscious. In 3 fractures the popliteal artery was torn, requiring arterial reconstruction. 15 were examined an average of 2.3 years after injury and there was full range of motion in 13. In 2 after severe injury, range of motion was 80% of normal. There was refracture after removal of external fixation in 1. We conclude that external fixation is stable and has minimal complications. We recommend it for children with comminuted fractures, multiple trauma and those in intensive care.