External Fixation of Femoral Fractures in Children

Abstract

In this prospective study, we apptied unilateral external fixation to 57 children who had closed femoral shaft fracture, between August 1992 and July 1996. The average age of he patients were 6 (4-12). Average hospital stay was 8 days (5-15). Average time in fixator was 51 day (35-79). There were only 3 (5.7 %) pin tract inflammation which resolved with oral antibiotics and local dressing. Nonunion, malunion, problematic leg length discrepancy and loss of motion of the joints above and below the fracture were not observed in any patient. The fixator was well tolerated by patients and their families. We conclude that external fixation in closed femoral shaft fractures of children might be a rational alternative treatment, since it has minimum complications economic advantages and it can be removed without anesthesia.