Treatment of proximal radius epiphyseal injuries of O'Brien type III with titanium elastic nail in children / 中国骨伤

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of titanium elastic nail (TEN) for treatment of proximal radius epiphyseal injuries of O'Brien type III.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 2008 to November 2009,19 patients with proximal radius epiphyseal injuries of O'Brien type III were treated with internal fixation, including 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 8.3 years old ranging from 6 to 12 years. The average time from injury to surgery was 3.5 days (2 to 7 days). The reduction situation after operation was assessed by Métaizeau criteria, and the elbow function after operation were evaluated by Broberg-Morrey elbow score.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed-up for 8.7 months in average (ranged 6 to 12 months). No infection, TEN brokage, skin bursting and other complications occurrenced. According to Métaizeau criteria, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 10 cases and fair in 2 cases. The Broberg-Morrey score rose from preoperative (47.3 +/- 5.1) to (86.6 +/- 6.3) at 3 months followed-up (t=139.17, P=0.0002); the outcome was excellent in 7 cases, good in 9 cases, and fair in 3 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Internal fixation with TEN in treatment of proximal radius epiphyseal injuries of O'Brien type III has a limited invasion, cosmetic beauty, safety and reliability advantages. This technique provides a reliable alternative in proximal radius epiphyseal injuries of O'Brien type III.</p>