Secondary displacement in distal forearm fractures in children: adequate positioning of the wrist in the cast is more important than cast index.

The objective of this study was to assess whether the positioning of the wrist joint in the cast in such a manner that it counteracts the direction of angulation of fragments is more important than the cast index in the prevention of secondary displacements in distal forearm fractures. A retrospective review of all pediatric patients (0-16 years of age) who were hospitalized in our institution with displaced fractures of the distal forearm (either isolated fractures of the distal radius or both bone fractures) who underwent subsequent closed reduction and splinting in the period from August 2018 to October 2020. Patients with physeal fractures and open fractures, and skeletally mature patients were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two categories - the first one in which the cast index was below 0.9 and the second in which it was above 0.9. In each category, we have identified two groups of patients - the first one in whom the wrist joint was positioned in such a manner that it counteracts the direction of angulation of fracture fragments and the second one in whom the wrist joint was in a neutral position. The two groups in each category have been compared according to age, sex, initial angulation, fracture type (isolated radius or both bone fractures), displacement type (angulation or complete dislocation) and the rate of secondary displacement. In both categories, the two groups were comparable according to age, sex, initial angulation, fracture and displacement type. In both categories (cast index below 0.9 and cast index above 0.9), a statistically significant higher portion of patients with secondary displacement was identified in the group of patients who had the wrist joint in a neutral position ( Z = -2.1997; P = 0.0278 - for cast index <0.9 and Z = -2.1672; P = 0.030216 for cast index >0.9). Our research supports the notion that positioning of the wrist joint in the position that counteracts the force that leads to angulation of fracture fragments is more important than the cast index in the prevention of secondary displacements in pediatric distal forearm fractures.

TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC FEMORAL FRACTURES IN THE CITY OF ZAGREB.

Femur fractures in children can be treated with a number of operative and conservative methods. Numerous factors determine which method is optimal for a specific fracture. The aim of this research was to analyze distribution of femur fractures in children living in the urban communities of Zagreb and Zagreb County by localization, type and frequency of treatment methods used according to age and fracture mechanism. The research included 103 children aged up to 18 years, treated for femur fractures at the Zagreb University Hospital Centre and Zagreb Children's Hospital. Data were collected from these institutions and a retrospective study covered the 2010-2015 period. The cause of fracture and diagnosis were coded with the help of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Operative treatment was applied in 55% of cases, which is contrary to previous researches. The highest incidence of femur fractures was recorded in the 0- to 4-year age groups, accounting for 49.1% of all fractures. These fractures mostly occurred due to falls and were more often treated with non-operative methods. All other age groups were mostly treated with operative methods. Coxofemoral immobilization and traction were used as non-operative methods, whereas flexible intramedullary nailing was the most frequently used operative method. The treatment depended on age, complexity of the fracture, fracture type, fragment displacement, and associated injuries. The cause was also an important factor on choosing the treatment method. Non-operative treatment was mostly used for fractures caused by falls (64.71% of cases due to falls) and operative treatment was mostly used for fractures caused by traffic accidents (79.4% of cases due to traffic accidents). It is a wide-known opinion that the best treatment for femur fractures in children is non-operative treatment. However, recent studies have shown that the use of operative methods in femur fracture treatment is growing. Our cohort of children treated during a five-year period (2010-2015) also underwent operative treatment more often than non-operative one. Two non-operative and eight operative methods were used. With such a large number of methods, it is clear that there is no unique method for all fractures. However, it is clear that the trend of using operative treatment is connected to the perennial trend of considerable sociodemographic and socioeconomic changes in urban settings such as Zagreb. Lifestyle changes directly affect the prevalence of femur fractures among children, as well as approach to treatment choice. General opinion is that most of fractures that occur at an early age can be treated with non-operative methods. Our research on femur fractures in children confirmed this rule. The youngest age group that had the highest incidence of fractures (49.1% of all fractures) was treated with non-operative methods in 75% of cases. Operative methods prevailed in other age groups. Similar results have been published by other authors. In conclusion, nearly half of all femur fractures (49.1%) occurred at a young age (0-4 years). Diaphysis fractures were most common. Most of the fractures that occurred during the 2010-2015 period were treated with operative methods, mostly in children aged 5-9 years. Out of eight different operative methods, elastic stable intramedullary osteosynthesis was most frequently used (60%). Coxofemoral immobilization and traction were used as non-operative methods.

[FEMUR FRACTURES IN CHILDREN ­ CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF INJURY].

Children are often exposed to injuries due to their hyperactivity. Femur fractures can however leave permanent consequences despite adequate treatment. The high prevalence and possible invalidity justify research in the field of prevention of this injury. But prevention is possible only by knowing the causes and circumstances of the fractures. The aim of this research is to analyze the circumstances and places of occurrence in femur fractures according to children age groups. This retrospective study includes 103 children up to the age of 18 years treated at the University Hospital Center of Medicine Zagreb, or at the Clinic for children diseases Zagreb in the period from 2012 to 2016. The study includes 35 (33 %) girls and 71 (67 %) boys, a total of 106 children with femur fractures. The average age was five years. The majority of the injured children, 52 children (55,2 %), belonged to the youngest age group from 0 to 4 years of age. Diaphysis fractures were the most common with 66 fractures (62 %), and the rarest were fractures of the distal metaphysis with 15 fractures (13 %). The fractures occurred at home in 41 cases (38 %), in the street in 38 cases (36 %), at recreation in 22 cases (21 5), and at school or kindergarten in 3 cases (3 %). The most common causes of femur fractures were falls in 38 cases (57,5 %), motor vehicle accidents in 35 cases (33 %), and crashes and blows in 10 cases (9,5 %). One third of the children with femur fractures had associated injuries, and four fifths of them were caused by motor vehicle accidents. The results of this study show that femur fractures are most frequent in the youngest age groups, and are generally a consequence of accidents at home (mostly falls), seldom in the streets or recreational places. Parents of preschool children should be educated about prevention of falling at their homes, and parents of school children should be educated about the dangers of fractures at recreational places and traffic.