Distribution of fractured bones among children: Experience with the Comprehensive Pediatric AO classification in a children's orthopedic hospital in Bogotá-Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures in children and adolescents are a public health issue. However, reliable epidemiological descriptions of the South American population must be improved. This study aims to present epidemiological data on fractures from a children's orthopedic hospital in one of the five largest cities in Latin America. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive epidemiological data from 2015 to 2019 were used to characterize children's fractures. Demographic variables, the number of fractured bones, high-energy trauma findings, fracture characteristics, fingertip injuries, and associated complications discriminated by the type of treatment are presented. Long bone fractures were classified according to the AO classification. All children less than 18 years of age were included. RESULTS: In a population of 3,616 children, 4,596 fractures were identified. More boys than girls sustain a fractured bone, with ratios as high as 6:1 around 15 years old. Distal forearm fractures were the most common (31.9%), followed by distal humerus (20.2%). Most of the complications were related to these two sites of fractures. The OR of complications between surgical and conservative management was 2.86. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological data of fractures from the authors' institution display the usual trending reported in most populations. Gender-related and age-related differences were relevant. Most fractures and complications are related to upper limb low-energy trauma. The most frequent are loss of ROM and loss of reduction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - retrospective cohort study.

Osteosíntesis de la diáfisis del húmero con placas: serie de casos / Osteosynthesis of the humeral shaft plate: case series

Las fracturas diafisiarias del húmero son susceptibles de manejo con diversos métodos de tratamiento. Cuando se indica manejo quirúrgico, se puede elegir entre fijación con placa o clavos intramedulares; estos últimos han ganado popularidad recientemente. Se revisaron los resultados de una serie de casos tratada con reducción abierta y fijación con placas DCP, describiendo los resultados funcionales y radiológicos. Se incluyen 30 pacientes, con seguimiento clínico promedio de 35 meses; 12 pacientes fueron intervenidos por retardo de consolidación o no unión después de tratamiento ortopédico. Hubo un caso de no unión y un caso de neurapraxia del nervio radial. La movilidad y fuerza fueron excelentes. Todos los pacientes reportaron estar satisfechos con el procedimiento y el resultado. Se expone como la fijación con placa de fracturas de la diáfisis del húmero continúa siendo una técnica predecible, con bajo índice de complicaciones y alta tasa de consolidación.