Comparison of Flexible Intramedullary Nailing with External Fixation in Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study compared the results of external fixation with those of flexible intramedullary nailing using Ender nails in pediatric femoral shaft fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight children with pediatric femoral shaft fractures were enrolled in the study. The children's ages ranged from 6 to 11 years, and the average period of follow-up was 27.2 months. Fifteen patients underwent flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN) using Ender nails and thirteen patients underwent external fixation (EF). The outcomes were assessed based on the clinical and radiology findings. RESULTS: The healing time averaged 9.8 weeks in the FIN group and 11.2 weeks in the EF group. In the FIN group, one patient suffered pin migration. In the EF group, three patients had a pin site infection, one patient had refracture after removing the external fixator and one patient had pin breakage 8 weeks after surgery. The broken pin was removed and the condition was stabilized with internal fixation using a plate. CONCLUSION: Flexible intramedullary nailing with Ender nails is an effective treatment option for treating femoral shaft fractures in children because it has fewer complications than external fixation does.