title: Fractures of the femoral shaft in children treated with an AO-compression plate. Report of 12 cases followed until adulthood.
abstract: Thirteen femoral shaft fractures in 12 children aged 0-15 years were each treated with an AO-compression plate. The mean age at operation was 11 (6-14) years, and all the patients were followed until closure of the growth plates. No deep infections occurred, and all the fractures healed without angulation of rotation. The mean overgrowth was 7 (-9-25) mm. All the patients had unrestricted movement in the hip and knee, and had no complaints at the follow-up examinations. We conclude that plate osteosynthesis of femoral shaft fractures in children is a safe and reliable method for internal fixation when use of traction is not possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Holstebro Central Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014945:Wound Healing