This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Abstract
Non-operative management is still the treatment of choice for closed fractures of
the femoral shaft in children. Indications for operative intervention would include:
children with multiple injuries; severe soft tissue damage; cases where reduction
is difficult to maintain; and children not suitable for management by traction.
Since 1984, 16 children (mean age 10.3 years) have had stabilization of their femoral
shaft fractures by external fixation (Monofixateur) in the Trauma Department of the
Hannover Medical School. The external fixation remained in place for a mean of 63
days. Of the 16 children, 15 have been reviewed, with a mean follow-up of 28.2 months.
No children who were completely managed with this fixation had any clinically relevant
malalignment, but six cases had up to 2 cm difference in leg length.
Our observations and experience show that external fixation is a useful alternative
for the operative management of femoral shaft fractures in children. It produces good
stability, is less invasive, and allows early mobilization. In order to avoid differences
in leg length, we recommend a good anatomical reduction with the external fixation
being carried out as early as possible.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to InjuryAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Laesst sich vermehrtes Laengenwachstum nach kindlichen Oberschenkelschaftbruechen vermeiden?.Unfallchirurg. 1988; 91: 189
- Overgrowth of the femur after fracture in childhood.J. Bone Joint Surg. 1986; 68B: 534
- Overgrowth of the femur after fracture of the shaft in childhood.J. Bone Joint Surg. 1976; 58B: 339
- Fortschritte in der externen Stabilisierung.Chirurg. 1985; 56: 705
- Spaetbefunde nach Marknagelung kindlicher Femurfrakturen.Z. Kinderchir. 1976; 19: 74
- Spaetergebnisse nach Oberschenkelschaftfrakturen im Kindesalter.Unfallchirurgie. 1985; 11: 28
- Die Anwendung eines unilateralen Fixateur externe bei der kindlichen Femurschaftfraktur im Rahmen des Polytraumas.Unfallchirurg. 1989; 92: 282
- Stabilisierung der offenen Unterschenkelschaftfraktur mit Fixateur externe — Vorteile durch zusätzliche Schraubenosteosynthese?.Chirurg. 1990; 61 (in press)
- Beinlaengendifferenzen und Rotationsfehler nach Oberschenkelschaftfrakturen im Kindesalter.Arch. Orthop, Unfall. Chir. 1977; 89: 121
- Frakturen und Luxationen im Wachstumsalter. Thieme, Stuttgart1986
- Classification AO des fractures. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York1987
- Fixateur externe beim kindlichen Oberschenkelbruch.Hefte Unfallheilkd. 1984; 182: 348
- Der Fixateur externe als Behandlungsmethode beim Oberschenkelbruch des Kindes.Unfallheilkunde. 1983; 86: 359
- Fractures with Soft Tissue Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York1984
- Indikationen zur Osteosynthese kindlicher Oberschenkelfrakturen.Hefte Unfallheilkd. 1984; 182: 340
- Die Frakturenbehandlung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York1979
- Treatment of femoral fracture in the child with head injury.J. Bone Joint Surg. 1983; 65B: 276
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 10,
1990
Identification
Copyright
© 1991 Published by Elsevier Inc.