title: [Over thirty years of experience with Hoffmann external fixation in paediatric orthopaedics and traumatology].
abstract: The development at the Erasme University Hospital of external fixation in paediatric traumatology is presented following a diachronic order. External fixation is particularly indicated in the polytraumatized child, and/or in the case of an open fracture or of a fracture with associated neuro-vascular lesion. The indications of external fixation have been broadened to diaphyseal femoral fractures occurring at school age. The obtained osteosynthesis is stable and--in the case of an adapted mounting--elastic enough to allow the rapid constitution of a periosteal callus, which is mechanically favourable. The supra-condylar fractures of the elbow of the child may be treated by humero-ulnar distraction external fixation, following the principle of ligamentotaxis.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Orthopédie-Traumatologie, Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Bruxelles. jean.quintin@erasme.ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quintin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuind
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D004867:Equipment Design; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000266:history*; D013997:Time Factors