title: Stabilization of pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures with flexible intramedullary nails (a technique paper).
abstract: The indications for surgical stabilization of a pediatric diaphyseal femur fracture are expanding. Children with multiple system injuries, a head injury, and/or multiple fractures have fewer local and distant complications if the femur fracture is treated operatively. Other indications include a pathological fracture in osteoporotic bone, a fracture in a child with a preexisting condition that prevents the application of a spica cast, a child older than 10 years of age, or a child less than 10 years of age who cannot be kept adequately aligned using conventional (traction/casting) methods of fracture management. Here we describe a technique of stabilizing pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures using flexible intramedullary nails (Ender). This technique can be used in children of all ages and with all patterns of diaphyseal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drvaric
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darr
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: MacEwen
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care