ELASTIC STABLE INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING OF FEMORAL AND TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES IN CHILDREN.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Ramesh Prabu Ganesan,
No. 5, Aishwarya Apartment,
B-31 11th Cross,
Thillai Nagar,
Trichy - 620018.
E-mail: grpsha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Management of femoral and Tibial diaphyseal fractures in the age group of 5-15 years is still controversial between conservative and surgical methods. Compared with young children, this group of children have high risk of malunion and shortening when managed conservatively. Surgical methods are widely used in this age group of children with intramedullary fixation being increasingly preferred. Aim of this prospective study was designed to examine the outcome and complications of Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN) in the treatment of paediatric fractures of shaft of femur and tibia between 5 to 15 years of age group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted from 2009 to 2011 at Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, SALEM, included 20 patients who had sustained fracture shaft of femur and tibia and been treated with closed or open using Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN). Among twenty children aged 5-15 years (16 cases were male and 4 cases were female), 10 cases had femur fractures and 10 cases had tibia fractures).

RESULTS

At the end of study, all the patients were evaluated for functional outcome according to Flynn’s Titanium Elastic Nailing scoring system. All fractures were radiologically united at an average of 10.5 weeks in femur and 8.8 weeks in tibia fractures. In our study, out of 10 patients with shaft of femur fractures, excellent results in 8 patients, satisfactory in one patient and poor in one patient. Out of 10 patients with fracture shaft of tibia, 9 patients had excellent results. One patient had satisfactory result. Most of the complications were minor only.

CONCLUSION

Based on our studies and result, we conclude that Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN) is an ideal choice of treatment for paediatric femur and tibia diaphyseal fractures of children between 5 and 15 years of age.

KEYWORDS

Tens, Elastic Nail, Femur Fracture, Tibia Fracture.