ABSTRACT

Introduction: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of treatment in children with femoral fractures who were treated with titanium elastic nail.

Methods: Information on patients who were referred to Namazi hospital from April 2017 to April 2018 because of a femoral fracture and underwent titanium elastic nailing were reviewed retrospectively. The patient’s information regarding age, sex, trauma mechanism, side involved, neurovascular status, associated injuries, duration of hospital stay, operation time, and complications. The surgical procedure implied a reposition of bone fragments and osteosynthesis with titanium elastic nails introduced through an incision over the lateral and medial border of the distal femoral metaphysis.

Results: A total of 60 children with a mean age of 7.50± 2.28 were examined. Boys constituted 42 (70%) while 18 (30%) of the cases were girls. Two types of transverse and short oblique fractures were placed in one group with a frequency of 35 patients (58.3%) who was axially stable, and two other types of fractures including comminuted and long oblique were placed in a common separate group with a frequency of 25 patients (41.7%) who was axially unstable. There was no significant difference between the two aforementioned groups regarding the pain. Types of fracture sites were divided into two classes; The distal and proximal fractures which included subtrochanteric, supracondylar fractures were located in one class of bone end fractures (frequency of 22 patients 36.7%) and the other class included only the diaphysis. Likewise, there was no significant correlation between the fracture types and pain.

Conclusion: titanium elastic nail satisfied all criteria of minimally invasive bone surgery, and is suitable for all types of femoral fractures.

Keywords: Femur; Fracture; Titanium elastic nails; Flexible intramedullary nailing, Elastic stable intramedullary nailing.