[Application of bridge wire splint fixation on ankle dorsiflexion in femoral shaft fractures in young children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the technique and therapeutic effect of bridge wire splint fixation with ankle dorsiflexion for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in young children. Methods:From June 2006 to June 2012,45 young children with femoral shaft fractures were treated by bridge wire splint fixation with ankle dorsiflexion,which was designed according to arch bridge mechanical principle and structure. There were 31 males and 14 females with an average age of 3.2 years old ranging from 8 months to 5.5 years old; 14 cases were upper 1/3 femoral fractures,26 cases were middle 1/3 femoral fractures,5 cases were lower 1/3 femoral fractures; 20 cases were transverse fractures, 14 cases were oblique fractures,6 cases were spiral frac- tures, and 5 cases were comminuted fractures. X-ray, follow-up imaging changes,clinical curative effect and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were followed up for 6 to 21 months (averaged 12 months). All fractures were reached clinical bone healing after 5 to 7 weeks (averaged 6 weeks) fixation. Seven cases appearred limb soft tissue complications, including buttocks bedsore,dorsal foot and Achilles tendon epidermal necrosis, and healed after dressing and removal of external fixation. During follow-up,the original overlap angle and lateral displacement were remodeled, and limbs were restored to the normal line of force and bone structure. According to Flynn standard, 35 cases got excellent results, 8 cases good, 2 cases fair. CONCLUSION: The bridge wire splint fixation with ankle dorsiflexion for the treatment of femoral. shaft fractures in young children (less than 6 years old) is safe,feasible, simple,and has raliable effect, which can be applied in primary hospitals.

[Comparison of efficacy between bridge wire splints and Bryant traction for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical effects between bridge wire splint fixation and traditional Bryant traction for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children. METHODS: From June 2006 to June 2009,38 children with femoral shaft fractures were treated with bridge wire splint fixation and Bryant traction. In bridge wire splint group, there were 15 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 8 months to 5.3 years, with an average of (2.3 +/- 0.6) years. According to fracture site classification, 5 patients were upper 1/3 femoral fractures, 9 patients were middle 1/3 femoral fractures,and 7 patients were lower 1/3 femoral fractures. In Bryant traction group,there were 10 males and 7 females, ranging in age from 10 months to 3.2 years, with an average of (2.2 +/- 0.4) years. According to fracture site classification, 4 cases were upper 1/3 femoral fractures, 10 patients were middle 1/3 femoral fractures, 3 patients were lower 1/3 femoral fractures. The clinical features, X-ray healing time,weight-bearing time and complications of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Comparison of fracture healing time: bridge wire splint group was (6.0 +/- 0.3) weeks and Bryant traction group was (6.2 +/- 0.4) weeks; the time of weight-bearing in bridge wire splint group was (6.1 +/- 1.0) weeks and in Bryant traction group was (6.4 +/- 1.2) weeks; there was no significant difference between two groups. There was a significant difference in soft tissue complication between bridge wire splint group occurred in 3 cases and 13 cases in Bryant traction group. According to the criteria of clinical efficacy,in Bryant traction group, 12 patients got an excellent result, 4 good and 1 fair; in bridge wire splint group, the data were 17, 3 and 1 respectively,and there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both of bridge wire splint fixation and traditional Bryant traction for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children have good efficacy. Compared with Bryant traction,bridge wire splint fixation is simple, safe and has reliable effect.