Closed Intramedullary Elastic Nailing in Femur Shaft Fractures in Children with Age 5 to 15 Years

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of closed  intramedullary elastic nailing in femur shaft fractures in children with age 5 to 15 years.

Study Design: Descriptive cases series study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 01-01-2016 to 31-12-2016.

Materials and Methods: there were total 50 cases of both genders with age range of 5 to 15 years with femur shaft fracture of simple type. These cases underwent intramedullary nailing of titanium material and were then followed at 1,2 and after 3 months. The efficacy was labelled as yes when there was complete union over x ray and the angulation was not more than 15 degrees.

Results: In this study there were total 50 cases out of which 32 (64%) were males and 18 (36%) females with mean age of 9.57±2.13 years. Mean duration of fracture was 3.87±1.18 days. The efficacy of intramedullary nailing was seen in 45 (90%) of cases. The efficacy was slightly better in younger age group of 5 to 10 years, where the successful reunion was observed in 30 (93.75%) out of 32 cases with p= 0.17. Efficacy was also better where the cases presented within 3 days of fracture where it was seen in 23 (95.83%) out of 24 cases with p= 0.09.

Conclusion: The efficacy of   intramedullary nailing in femur shaft fracture is good as every 9 out of 10 cases reveal it. The cases that report within 3 days have almost significant association with this.