Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Femoral shaft fracture is common in children. Various methods of treatment can be used successfully, depending on the age of the child and the type of fracture.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of adult reconstruction plate of humeral shaft for pediatric femoral shaft fracture.
METHODS: A total of 32 children with femoral shaft fracture were treated with adult reconstruction plate of humeral shaft in First Department of Orthopedics, Fuzhou General Hospital of Fujian Medical University, including 20 males and 12 females aged 6.7 years (5-8 years). All patients were treated with incision reduction and adult reconstruction plate of humeral shaft. The incision length should be made as short as possible according to the fracture type. The result of surgery was determined using clinical and radiographic examinations. The pain condition was evaluated using visual analog scale method before and 3 days following surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The patients were followed up for 1-2 years (average 1.5 years). All fractures were healed 1-2 months postoperatively, and the internal fixator was removed 4-8 months postoperatively. The affected limb was shortened 0.6-1.5 cm (average 1.1 cm) in 3 cases. Overgrowth was observed in the other patients by 0.3-1.2 cm. The average overgrowth length was (0.64±0.312) cm in 29 patients. At 3 days postoperatively, the mean subjective pain was significantly reduced, and range of motion was improved compared with the day before surgery. There was no infection or implant displacement or re-fracture. It is feasible to use adult reconstruction plate of humeral shaft for paediatric femoral shaft fracture.