Management of complex femur fractures in children: A report of Three Cases

Introduction:Complex femur fractures are defined as combined fractures of shaft and proximal of or the distal femur. Restoration of anatomical alignment is the primary goal of the management of these fractures. In this report, we describe the management of complex femur shaft fractures in three pediatric patients. Case Report: This report includes three patients. The first patient was a 10-year-boy with comminuted proximal femur shaft fracture extending into the subtrochanteric area, managed with minimally invasive sub-muscular plating. The second patient was a 12-year-boy with comminuted femur shaft extending into subtrochanteric area, treated with combined retrograde and anterograde Titanium Elastic Nail System. A 12-year-old boy with femur shaft with intertrochanteric fracture managed with K-wire fixation for intertrochanteric fracture and plating with dynamic compression plate for femur shaft was our third patient. All patients had excellent radiological and functional outcome. Conclusion: Complex femur shaft fractures in children are very rare and challenging injuries. With proper pre-operative planning and use of appropriate implants excellent outcomes can be obtained. Keywords:Complex femur fractures, pediatric orthopedics, sub-muscular plating, titanium elastic nailing.

Outcome of proximal femur shaft fractures in school going children treated with locking compression plates

Objectives: To determine the clinical and radiological outcome of proximal femur shaft fractures in school going children treated with locking compression plates (LCP). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Orthopaedic Division Lady Ready Reading Hospital Peshawar from 25th June 2018 to 25th September 2020. Children of either gender and age 6 to 12 years old with subtrochanteric and proximal one third femur factures fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Open reduction and internal fixation with 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plates (LCP) were done in all. Post operative clinical outcome was evaluated by using Flynn scoring system and graded as excellent, satisfactory and poo results. Radiological assessment of fracture union was done through anteroposterior (AP) and lateral X-ray radiographs. Results: A total of 60 children with mean age 9.01±1.61 SD (range 6 to 12 years) were included in our study. Oblique fractures were present in 23(38.3%) children, spiral in 20(33.3%), transverse in 11(18.3%) and comminuted in 6 (10%) children. The radiological union time was 13.3±1.2 weeks (range 9.4 to 18 weeks). Majority (88.3%, n=53) of children had excellent clinical outcome according to Flynn’s scoring system while satisfactory outcome was noted in 7(11.6%) children. No cases of delayed union, mal union, nonunion and implant failure was reported. Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that proximal femoral shaft fractures in school going children treated with locking compression plates had excellent clinical and radiological outcome. We therefore recommend locking compression plate as the implant of choice to fix proximal femoral shaft fractures in school going children. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3938 How to cite this:Shah FA, Ali MA, Naeemullah. Outcome of proximal femur shaft fractures in school going children treated with locking compression plates. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3938 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Leg-length discrepancy and associated risk factors after paediatric femur shaft fracture: a multicentre study

Purpose This study was performed to investigate leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and associated risk factors after paediatric femur shaft fractures. Methods A total of 72 consecutive patients under 13 years old (mean age 6.7 years; 48 boys, 24 girls) with unilateral femur shaft fracture, and a minimum follow-up of 18 months, were included. The amount of LLD was calculated by subtracting the length of the uninjured from that of the injured limb. Risk factors for an LLD ≥ 1 cm and ≥ 2 cm were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Hip spica casting, titanium elastic nailing and plating were performed on 22, 40 and ten patients, respectively. The mean LLD was 7.8 mm (sd 8.8) and 29 (40.3%) had a LLD of ≥ 1 cm, while nine (12.5%) had a LLD of ≥ 2 cm. There were significant differences in fracture stability (p = 0.005) and treatment methods (p = 0.011) between patients with LLD < 1 cm and ≥ 1 cm. There were significant differences in fracture site shortening (p < 0.001) and LLD (p < 0.001) between patients with length-stable and length-unstable fractures. Fracture stability was the only factor associated with LLD ≥ 1 cm (odds ratio of 4.0; p = 0.020) in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion This study demonstrated that fracture stability was significantly associated with LLD after paediatric femur shaft fractures. Therefore, the surgeon should consider the possibility of LLD after length-stable femur shaft fracture in children. Level of Evidence Prognostic level III

A five year learning experience with sequence of events in a child with closed femur shaft fracture

<p class="abstract">Femur shaft fractures are the most common fractures requiring hospitalization in children. Management of these fractures mainly depend on the age of the child. Associated injuries, fracture pattern, weight of the child and overlying soft tissue condition also influence the management. Still, the definitive treatment remains controversial in children between 5-16 years. We present our experience in management of 5 year old boy with mid shaft femur fracture and its complications. In his paper we want to highlight the importance of sticking to the basic principles and the recommendations in the management of the paediatric femur shaft fractures.</p>

The epidemiology of infant shaft fractures of femur or humerus by incidence, birth, accidents, and other causes

Background The purpose of this population-based registry study was to analyze both birth-related femur and humerus shaft fractures and diagnosed later in infancy, as regards incidence, perinatal characteristics, other diagnoses, and reported accidents. Methods Children born in 1997–2014, diagnosed with a femur or humerus shaft fracture before age 1 year, were identified in the Swedish Health Registries. Rate of birth fractures were estimated by combining femur and humerus shaft fractures coded as birth-related with femur and humerus shaft fractures diagnosed during day 1–7 without registered trauma or abuse. Incidence was computed by comparing infants with femur or humerus shaft fractures to the total at-risk population. Results The incidence for birth-related femur shaft fractures was 0.024 per 1000 children (n = 45) and that for birth-related humerus shaft fractures was 0.101 per 1000 children (n = 188). The incidence was 0.154 per 1000 children for later femur shaft fractures (n = 287) and 0.073 per 1000 children for later humerus shaft fractures (n = 142). Birth-related femur shaft fracture was associated with shoulder dystocia, cesarean, multiple birth, breech, preterm, and small-for-gestational age, while humerus shaft fracture was associated with maternal obesity, dystocic labor, shoulder dystocia, vacuum-assisted delivery, male sex, multiple birth, breech, preterm, large-for-gestational age, birth weight > 4000 g, and injury of brachial plexus. A bone fragility diagnosis was recorded in 5% of those with birth-related or later femur shaft fractures. Among infants with birth-related humerus shaft fractures, 1% had a bone fragility diagnosis; the figure for later fractures was 6%. Maltreatment diagnosis was associated with later fractures of both types, especially among those aged < 6 months, where approximately 20% (femur) and 14% (humerus) of cases, respectively, were associated with abuse. Fall accidents were reported in 73 and 56% among those with later femur and humerus shaft fractures, respectively. Conclusion This study provides data on epidemiology, birth, parental characteristics, and reported accidents in relation to femur and humerus shaft fractures during infancy. Few children had a bone fragility diagnosis. Fall accidents were the main contributor to femur or humerus shaft fracture during infancy; however, the proportion of fractures attributed to maltreatment was high in children under 6 months.

Safety and efficacy of a novel cephalomedullary nail femoral shaft fractures: a retrospective observational cohort in 33 patients

Background Despite advances in femoral shaft fracture fixation, the nonunion rate remains relatively high; and there is limited data on the efficacy and failure rate of specific implants. A novel cephalomedullary nail provides the ability to treat femur shaft fractures in isolation, with associated ipsilateral femur injuries, and provides various options for proximal and distal fixation exists on the market; but literature remains limited on the safety and efficacy of this implant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the early failure rate of this cephalomedullary nail, while comparing the nonunion rate to what is currently presented in the literature. This study is the first of its kind in evaluation of a specific implant for treatment of femoral shaft fractures and ipsilateral pathology. Methods Patients over 18 years of age, with traumatic femur shaft fractures, treated with this particular cephalomedullary nail and available for a minimum of 3-month follow-up were included for analysis. Data was collected by retrospective chart review and review of existing radiographs. Demographic data, injury details, AO/OTA fracture classification, and implant details were recorded for each patient. Primary outcome measured was implant failures (screw or nail breakage). Secondary outcomes measured included malunion, nonunion, deep infection, post-operative complications, and need for reoperation. Results Of the 33 patients included for analysis, 1 patient went on to non-union. There were no cases of implant failure. The single nonunion was a high-energy mechanism, open fracture, and higher level AO/OTA classification. The remaining 32 reached radiographic union at 3 months. Conclusion The nonunion rate of this novel cephalomedullary nail is comparable to what is reported in the literature. This nail is a safe and effective implant to treat femoral shaft fractures with a variety of ipsilateral femoral shaft injuries and reliably leads fracture union. Further studies are needed analyzing implant failure and comparing specific implants.

Safety and efficacy of a novel cephalomedullary nail in femoral shaft fractures: a retrospective observational cohort in 33 patients

Background: Despite advances in femoral shaft fracture fixation, the nonunion rate remains relatively high; and there is limited data on the efficacy and failure rate of specific implants. A novel cephalomedullary nail that provides the ability to treat femur shaft fractures in isolation, with associated ipsilateral femur injuries, and provides various options for proximal and distal fixation exists on the market; but little is available on the safety and efficacy of this implant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the early failure rate of this cephalomedullary nail, while comparing the nonunion rate to what is currently presented in the literature. This study is the first of its kind in evaluation of a specific implant for treatment of femoral shaft fractures and ipsilateral pathology.Methods: Patients over 18 years of age, with traumatic femur shaft fractures, treated with this novel cephalomedullary nail and available for a minimum of 3-month follow-up were included for analysis. Retrospective chart review for this retrospective observational cohort study was performed. Demographic data, injury details, AO/OTA fracture classification, and implant details were recorded for each patient. Primary outcome measured was implant failures (screw or nail breakage). Secondary outcomes measured included malunion, nonunion, deep infection, post-operative complications, and need for reoperation. We hypothesize that the union and failure rate will be similar to that reported in the literature for femur shaft fractures.Results: Of the 33 patients included for analysis, 1 patient went on to non-union. There were no cases of implant failure. The single nonunion was a high-energy mechanism, open fracture, and higher level AO/OTA classification. The remaining 32 reached radiographic union at 3 months. Conclusion: The nonunion rate of this novel cephalomedullary nail is comparable to what is reported in the literature. This nail is a safe and effective implant to treat femoral shaft fractures with a variety of ipsilateral femoral shaft injuries and reliably leads fracture union. Further studies are needed analyzing implant failure and comparing specific implants.