title: Treatment of open pediatric tibial fractures by external fixation versus flexible intramedullary nailing: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tibial fractures are the third most common pediatric long-bone fracture after forearm and femoral fractures. Approximately 50% of pediatric tibial fractures occur in the distal third of the tibia. This is followed by midshaft tibial fractures (39%), and least commonly, the proximal third of the tibia is involved. Tibial fractures in the skeletally immature patient can usually be treated without surgery but tibial fractures resulting from high energy traumas are of special importance considering type of the selected treatment method affecting the children future. Manipulation and casting are regarded as definite treatments for children tibial fractures. They are used following compartment syndrome in poly-trauma, neurovascular damages, open fractures, and fasciotomy cases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In children, most open fractures occur due to high energy traumas and inappropriate treatment of the fractures may result in several complications. Flexible intramedullary nailing is one of the popular options as an effective method of treating long-bone fractures in children. The external fixator is used in cases with severe injuries and open fractures. The present study aims at comparing results of these two treatment methods in the open pediatric tibial fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this descriptive analytical study, 32 patients with open tibial fractures were treated with either fixator (n = 18) or TEN nails (n=14) during 2006-2011. Some patients were treated with a combination method of TEN and pin. The results were evaluated considering infection, union, mal-union, and re-fracture and the patients were followed up for two years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean time required for fracture union was 12.5 (11-14) and 11.8 (10-12) weeks for the external fixator and TEN groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference in time of union between the two methods. The main complications in external fixation were infection around the pin 4 (22.2%), leg-length discrepancy 2 (11.1%) and re-fracture 4 (22.2%). In the TEN group, 2 cases (14.2%) of painful bursitis were observed at the entry point of TEN and the pin was removed earlier. There was not any report of mal-union requiring correction in the groups. No complication was seen in 6 patients treated with a combined method of pin and flexible intramedullary nails.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although external fixation in open pediatric fractures and severe injuries is recommended, intramedullary nailing is also an effective method with low complications. Combining pins and flexible intramedullary nails is effective in developing more stability and is not associated with more complications.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aslani
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.affiliation: Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadighi
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery, Poursina Educational Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mirblok
keywords: Child; External Fixator; Fracture Fixation; Fractures, Open