Successful results obtained in the treatment of adolescent forearm fractures with locked intramedullary nailing / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#In the surgical treatment of paediatric forearm fractures, plate-screw and titanium elastic nails are used. During the transformation of ligamento-osseous structures from adolescence form into adult form, more stable fixation is required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of locked intramedullary nail fixation in adolescent forearm fractures.@*METHODS@#A retrospective examination was made on 36 adolescent patients who underwent surgery with locked intramedullary nail fixation due to a forearm fracture. The included patients were in the adolescent age group (12-17 years), did not meet conservative follow-up criteria and had unstable fractures (>10° angulation and 18 years or 15 years had prolonged time to union ([11.1 ± 1.8] weeks). There were no non-unions, re-fractures or infections. No complications were observed during implant removal. None of the patients had sensorial radial nerve injury or tendon damage.@*CONCLUSION@#The locked intramedullary nailing technique, which is minimally invasive and provides biological fixation, was found to be successful and safe in the treatment of adolescent forearm fractures.

Functional outcome of diaphyseal fractures of forearm in adolescents treated with TENS

Background:A retrospective case series study was done onforearm diaphyseal fracture in adolescents treated with TENS (titanium elastic nailing system).Purpose of the study was analysis of functional outcome of TENS in forearm diaphyseal fractures in children between 12-18 year age group. Methods:We retrospectively evaluated 30 patients operated by same senior surgeon during the period from March 2014 to February 2015 with closed diaphyseal forearm fractures in age group 12–18 years treated with TENS in whom closed reduction could not be achieved. Nail diameter taken as 33-40% of narrowest diameter of diaphysys were introduced proximally in ulna and distally in radius under image intensifier in closed manner. Postoperatively, patients encouraged for active shoulder, elbow and finger movements and suture removal done after 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for minimum period of one year.Results:In terms of union and range of motion using Anderson et al criteria 24 patients had excellent results, 4 patients had satisfactory results and one patienthad poor result having non-union of ulna. Two patients had superficial infection at the nail entry site which eventually resolved. One patient lost for follow up.Conclusions:We conclude that TENS in both bone forearm fractures in adolescent age group interms of union and range of motion is a minimally invasive and effective method of fixation.