title: Adult proximal humerus locking plate for the treatment of a pediatric subtrochanteric femoral nonunion: a case report.
abstract: Nonunions of pediatric subtrochanteric femur fractures are exceedingly rare and have to date not been reported in the literature. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy who developed such a nonunion after open reduction internal fixation using a pediatric locked proximal femur plate. Using an adult proximal humerus locking plate, adequate proximal fixation of the nonunion was obtained. Furthermore, previously placed distal screw holes were safely bridged and the biomechanical environment around the nonunion site improved. Uneventful healing was possible with the use of adjuvant bone grafting. No short- or midterm complications occurred. Although other implants can certainly be adapted to a use different than that of its original design, the present case suggests that adult proximal humerus locking plates may be a safe option for revision surgery of the proximal pediatric femur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fundación Cardioinfantil, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Cortes
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Triana
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vallejo
authors.forename: Theddy F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Slongo
authors.forename: Philipp N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Streubel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome