A clinical Study on the Fractures of the Femoral Neck in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Most obviuos will be the several anatomic differences between the proximal femur of the child and the adult. Fractures of the femoral neck in the children are extremely rsre and usually are the result of severe trauma in 80% of the cases. This accounts for the high frequency of serious associated injuries. In this injury the vascular anatomy changing with age, continuing growth potential and the effect of deforming forces play critical roles in high complication rate and these make treatment difficult. But still any secure guidelines for the treatment of this injury are not established and this is a field which requires more active research and further progress in future. 26 cases treated at Paik Hospital from Jan. 1979 to June 1988 were analyzed in clinical and radiological aspect and the following results were obtained. 1. The commonest type was Cervicotrochanteric fracture in 13 cases(50%),displaced one 21 cases. 2. In Transepiphyseal, Transcervical and Cervicotrochanteric fracture by early reduction and internal fixation, and in Intertrochanteric fracture by conservative treatment we gained satisfactory results. 3. We experienced 2 cases of coxa vara in nonthreaded pin used cases, 4 cases of premature epiphseal closure and 4 cases of avascular necrosis in threaded pin used ones. 4. Complications were developed in 13 cases (50%). These were 5 cases of coxa vara(19.2%) 4 cases of premature epiphyseal closure (15.4%) and 4 cases of avascul necrosis (15.4%). 5. Avascykar necrosis was developed in displaced fracture of Transcervical or Cervico- trochanteric fracture beyond postoperative 1 year. So. we recommend periodic long follow up for evaluation of avascular necrosis.

A Clinical Study on the Fractures of the Femoral Neck in Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The femoral neck in children is dense and is small in diameter and its periosteum is thicker and stronger than that of an adult. Thus, fractures of the femoral neck in children, unlike the 60-year-old woman, are rare and usually require severe violence and this accounts for the high frequency of associated injuries. Since these fractures are rare and the femoral neck in children has many anatomic and physiologic differences, we have to consider some factors that work against treatment of these fractures. Twenty seven cases of fractures of the femoral neck in children which were treated at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Mediicne from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1980 were analyzed both clinically and radiologically and the following results were obtained. 1. Among the 27 patients, the ratio of boys and girls was 2:1 and the highest incidence was between the ages of 3 and 5 years. 2. The main course of fractures was traffic accidents, 14 cases (51.9%) and the other causes were falling from a height (37.0%) and a few cases of a slip and a fall. 3. According to the classification of Delbet and Colonna, the cervico-trochanteric fracture (40.8%) was the commonest type and 13 cases (48.1%) were displaced fractures. 4. Common associated injuries were pelvic bone fractures, skull fractures, cerebral concussion and soft tissue injuries. 5. Fifteen cases (55.6%) were treated by conservative treatment and ten cases (37.0%) by closed reduction & internal fixation. 6. 23 of the 27 cases were followed for from 6 months to 10 years, average 19 months. The results were analyzed according to Ratliffs assessment and 14 cases (60.9%) showed good results. 7. Total cases with complications were 14 (60.9%), the commonest complication being coxa vara (40.8%) and the other main complications being premature epiphyseal closure (39.1%) and avascular necrosis (30.1%). 8. Secondary treatment was done in 6 cases and correction osteotomy was done in 4 cases which had showed a poor result. 9. Finally, factors affecting results were type of fracture, degree of displacement, maintenance of reduction, interval between injury and treatment, complications and patients age. 10. The authors recommend closed reduction and internal fixation with some threaded pins for all type II and type III fractures.