The application of open intramedullary fixation in the treatment of pediatric radial and ulnar shaft fractures.
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective review evaluates the efficiency of standard intramedullary Kirschner wires for the treatment of unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures in children.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Large teaching and research hospital in Turkey.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with diaphyseal forearm fractures were treated by surgical method between 1988 and 1998. The mean age was 12.3 years (range 7 to 17 years). The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years (1 to 6.2 years).


METHODS
The method of treatment of each forearm fracture was open reduction and intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation using a mini-incision.


METHODS
Fracture union, growth disturbance of the forearm, and complications were evaluated.


RESULTS
Union was obtained in all cases except two (6.4 percent). No forearm inequality was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Intramedullary fixation is a useful technique for unstable shaft fractures of the forearm in children that can not be treated by closed manipulation.
Kucukkaya
Metin
M
1st Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kabukcuoglu
Yavuz
Y
Tezer
Mehmet
M
Eren
Tugrul
T
Kuzgun
Unal
U
D000293:Adolescent; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*