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Introduction Optimal paediatric femoral shaft fracture patterns or lengths amenable to titanium elastic nail stabilization have not been well defined. The purpose of this study is to identify radiographic parameters predictive of treatment failure with flexible intramedullary nails based upon fracture morphology. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all femoral shaft fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails over a five-year period. All patients with at least six weeks of postoperative radiographic imaging were included. Fracture characteristics included location, pattern, length, obliquity, angulation, translation and shortening. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed to determine shortening and angulation. Results There were 58 patients with 60 femoral shaft fractures stabilized with titanium nails, with 46 healing within acceptable parameters and 14 considered malunions. Six of the 14 malunions developed complications requiring early unplanned intervention. No patients in the treatment success group had a complication. Between the treatment success and failure groups, fracture pattern, location, length, obliquity, angulation, translation or shortening were not statistically different. Mean nail canal fill was significantly lower in the failure group (0.72 versus 0.81; p = 0.0146), with a receiver operating characteristic curve identifying canal fill 76% as the optimal threshold. Conclusion This is the first study to measure the length and obliquity of paediatric femoral shaft fractures and to determine their relationship to radiographic alignment after healing. None of the preoperative fracture characteristics were predictive of malalignment or shortening. We recommend the use of larger nail sizes in the treatment of paediatric femoral shaft fractures, especially if there is concern for residual instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose There is little information in the literature regarding flexible intramedullary nails (FIN) for treating femur fractures in children with neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of FIN for femoral shaft fractures in non-ambulatory children with neuromuscular disorders. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on patients with femur fractures at a paediatric hospital between 2004 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were femoral shaft fracture treated with FIN. Outcomes were compared between patients with neuromuscular disorders (NM group) and a control group of those without neuromuscular disorders. Results A total of 37 patients with 37 femoral shaft fractures were studied (12 patients in the NM group and 25 in the control group). All NM group patients were non-ambulatory at baseline. Fractures were length stable in all 25 patients in the control group and in 2/12 (17%) patients in the NM group. All fractures healed in both groups. Three complications (all nail migrations) requiring reoperation before fracture union occurred in the NM group, yielding a major complication rate of 25% (3/12) in the NM group versus 0% (0/25) in controls (p = 0.03). Angular deformity occurred in 5/12 (42%) NM group patients and 1/25 (4%) control group patient (p = 0.009); none required reoperation. Conclusion Femur fractures in non-ambulatory children with neuromuscular disorders can be successfully treated with FIN. Angular deformities are common in this population, but had no functional impact in the non-ambulatory NM group patients. Surgeons must also be vigilant for implant prominence and skin breakdown in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Traditional teaching for fixation of paediatric femur fractures recommends 80% nail diameter/medullary canal diameter ratio (ND/MCD) for successful maintenance of reduction. Prior studies have investigated this with stainless steel Enders nails. Our aim was to assess the impact of ND/MCD on maintenance of reduction and malunion rates in paediatric femur fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails (FINs). Methods Retrospective data was collected on all paediatric patients treated with FINs for diaphyseal femur fractures at a single tertiary care institution over a ten-year period. Patients with co-morbidities affecting bone quality were excluded. Patients were subdivided into groups based on ND/MCD. Results A total of 66 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean ND/MCD was 76.3% (32.9% to 98.8%, SD 14.3). In all, 50% (n = 33/66) of patients had > 80% ND/MCD, and only 13.6% (n = 9/66) of patients had less than 60% ND/MCD. When controlling for fracture stability, ND/MCD had no correlation with mean shortening (p = 0.07) There was no correlation between ND/MCD and angulation in the sagittal (p = 0.96) or coronal plane (p = 0.20). Three patients fit malunion criteria. ND/MCD for these patients were 40%, 67% and 79%. Conclusion There was no correlation between ND/MCD and shortening or malangulation. The majority of patients in this series with less than 80% fill with FIN healed within acceptable parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Almost all pediatric humerus fractures are well managed with conservative treatment with higher percentage of union rate. However there are certain conditions where surgical intervention will be inevitable like humerus fracture associated with polytrauma compound fractures, those with head and unacceptable alignment. It is not only the stable fixation but also the alignment which is important and can be maintained even by a single pre-bent elastic or flexible intramedullary nailing. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 28 pediatric humeral fractures fixed with a single retrograde titanium elastic nail from 2012 to 2016. Time to unite the fracture along with other complications was noted. The functional outcomes were assessed according to Broberg and Morrey for elbow function and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score for shoulder function. Results: Average age of patients was 8.85 1.84 (range 6 to 12 years). Time to unite the fracture was 8.28 2.43 weeks (range 6 to 12 weeks). There were 1 case of malunion around 10 degrees, 1 case of nail migration, one case of superficial infection at the site of nail entry, one case of transient radial nerve palsy and one case of nail protrusion in our study. There were 24 (85.71%) cases of excellent and 4 (14.29%) cases of good results according to Broberg and Morrey functional scores. Conclusion: Fixation of pediatric humerus fractures with a single flexible nail reduces operative time, radiation exposure, cost of treatment, chances of iatrogenic supracondylar fracture and ulnar nerve injury without compromising the final outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Tibia fractures in the skeletally immature patient can usually be treated without surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of flexible titanium nails in the open fracture tibia that requires operative stabilization. Method Over a 3-year period, retrospective study of 48 open tibia fractures which were treated with flexible titanium intramedullary nails. All charts and radiographs were reviewed. The average age was 10 years 4 months. There were 13 distal third open fractures, 21 middle third fracture, 14 upper third. Result All fractures healed. Fracture obtained union by an average of 15 weeks. There were no malunions. The average follow-up was 1 year 5 months. There were no instances of growth arrest, remanipulations, or refracture, infection. Conclusion In the open pediatric tibia fracture, flexible titanium nails are an effective treatment to obtain and maintain alignment and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]