title: Improved treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children utilizing the pontoon spica cast: a long-term follow-up.
abstract: This prospective study looked at 91 pediatric femur fractures. Patients were randomized into two groups: (a) A traditional group treated with 3 weeks in traction followed by spica; and (b) a pontoon spica group in which patients were treated first with only a few days in traction and then with a 90-90 pins-in-plastic spica. The pontoon spica provides excellent short- and long-term results. These include (a) providing substantial cost savings; (b) causing much less inconvenience to the family and child; (c) reducing the number of inpatient days, thereby freeing hospital beds; (d) permitting early motion; (e) reducing the number of short-term complications; and (f) preventing excessive shortening while controlling rotation.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Killian
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Alonso
mesh_terms: D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014143:Traction; D016896:Treatment Outcome