Titanium elatic intramedullary nail and end caps to treat length-unstable femoral shaft fracture of children / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the outcome of Titanium Elatic Intramedullary Nail (TEINs) for treatment of lengthunstable femoral shaft fracture of children.Methods Retrospectively analyze the data of total of 21 children with length-unstable femoral shaft fractures,from December 2011 to June 2014,were treated with TEINs and end caps.This study involved 15 boys and 6 girls,with age ranged from 5 years and 6 months to 10 years and 10 months,whose average age was 7 years and 5 months.Firstly children were treated with traction for 3-7 days,with traction weight of 1/4 to 1/6 of the weight.After that,shortening and angular deformity were significantly corrected.Then surgeries of close reduction and internal fixation with TEINs were done in general anesthesia.TEINs were supported with double nail C shape.The lateral tip of TEIN located near the epiphyseal plate of greater trochanter,and the medial tip near the epiphyseal plate of femur head.Cut the tail of TEINs,set and screw the end caps into cortex,keeping the tail of TEINs and fracture fixed.Spica casting was used for 4 weeks after operation.The last follow-up time was 2 years,and the follow up results were analyzed.Results 21 children were followed up ranged from 22 to 26 months,with the mean follow up 23.4 months.Remove the spica casting and bear loading at 4 weeks after operation.All fractures healed,with healing time of 5 to 8 weeks (an average of 6.2 weeks).At the last follow-up,the limb force line was good with no angular deformity.Femur overgrew 4.2-21.1 mm,with an average of 6.1 mm.At the last follow-up,the patients were evaluated with Harris score,and the excellent and good rate was 100％.No case of TEINs push-out,limited hip mobility,fracture nonunion,delayed healing or other complications was found.Only 1 case got a mild lameness.All parents were satisfied with their outcome.Conclution TEINs and end caps are effective methods for the length-unstable femoral shaft fracture in children.These results indicated that the risk of TEINs push-out can be reduced.