Outcome of paediatric patients with displaced and unstable forearm diaphyseal fractures treated with intramedullary elastic nails, our experience at tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess prospectively the results of treatment of paediatric patients with displaced and unstable radius and ulna mid shaft fractures using intramedullary elastic nails. Material & Methods: Th is prospective observational study was carried out from January 2015 to June 2016 at Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi. 56 paediatric patients with radius and ulna fractures were registered in study aft er gett ing informed consent and all patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fi xation using intramedullary titanium elastic nail system. Results were assessed clinically and radiologically in all patients at follow up visits. Final evaluation was made at the 6th month on the basis of Price criteria. Results: All treated patients had no complain of pain during fi nal evaluation in follow up visit at 6th month, all fractures were healed by the end of fourth months and nails were removed from all patients at 4thmonth. Excellent results were obtained in 46 (82.14%) patients, 9 patients (16.071%) had good results, 1 patient (1.63%) had fair results, no one had poor outcome. Conclusion: Based on the results, we conclude that fl exible intramedullary nailing is a successful and less invasive method of fi xing radius and ulna fractures in children. Outstanding results can be obtained by using this device in children with minimum post-operative complications.