title: External fixation of pediatric femur fractures with cortical contact.
abstract: The cases of 40 pediatric femur fractures treated with external fixation were reviewed to determine whether stabilization with cortical contact resulted in clinical leg-length discrepancy (LLD). Mean follow-up was 29.4 months, mean age was 6.6 years (range, 2-10 years), 25 injuries were isolated, 100% of the fixators were applied with cortical contact, all fractures healed by a mean of 92 days, 72.5% were dynamized before removal, mean LLD was 0.24 cm short, and complications included 1 refracture (2.5%), early removal of 2 loose pins (1.25% of 160 pins), pin-tract infections in 21 patients (52.5%), and 1 LLD (2.5%) of more than 1.0 cm (5.0 cm short). External fixation with cortical contact was an effective treatment for pediatric femur fractures. It limited overgrowth and resulted in few refractures. Pin-tract infections were common.
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. ematzki@aol.com
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Matzkin
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome