Flexible intramedullary nailing in paediatric femoral shaft fractures

Abstract 

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of flexible intramedullary (IM) nails as a fixation device of paediatric femoral shaft fractures. A total of 36 children with 37 closed fractures were treated by this method. The patients ranged in age from 7.2 to 13.5 years and the mean follow-up was 25.5 months. All patients had open femoral growth plates at the time of surgery. All fractures united and none of the patients needed re-operation. Complications included pain/irritation at the insertion site,⁶ superficial wound breakdown¹ and one case of delayed union. No major complications were recorded. After nail removal, all children had full range of hip and knee motion. At final follow-up, although radiographs revealed that 44% of the children had malalignment at the fracture site in one or both planes, none of the children presented with clinical malalignment of the fractured limb. Maximum angulation that was calculated on the coronal plane was 5° into varus and on the sagittal plane 7° of anterior angulation (apex posteriorly). Leg-length discrepancy was assessed clinically and radiographically when needed. A total of 50% of the children had a leg-length inequality but none of them complained of a functional problem. Flexible nailing of diaphyseal fractures of the femur is a reliable method with a small learning curve and allows early mobilisation. Most of our minor complications were technique related and could be avoided.

Keywords: Flexible nails, Femoral fractures, Childhood