Abstract

EAMARA, Pablo  and  MASQUIJO, Julio Javier. Enclavado endomedular elástico para el tratamiento de refracturas de antebrazo en niños. Rev. Asoc. Argent. Ortop. Traumatol. [online]. 2018, vol.83, n.4, pp.242-247. ISSN 1852-7434.

Introduction: Forearm diaphysis is the most frequent site of re-fractures in children. These lesions usually occur in the middle or proximal third within a year of the initial fracture. There is little information on the treatment of this type of lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes and complications in patients with forearm re-fractures requiring internal fixation with elastic stable intramedullary nails. Methods: Demographic data, mechanism of injury, classification, time from consolidation of the original fracture to refracture, type of reduction and time of consolidation were documented. Outcomes were evaluated according to Martus scale, and complications were evaluated with an adaptation of Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: Seventeen patients (14 men) with 17 forearm re-fractures (15 closed and 2 open) were identified. Median age was 11 years (IQR 7, min-max 5-15). Lesion occurred 12 weeks after the initial fracture (RIC 4.7, min-max 4-28). Fortyseven percent required open reduction. Union was achieved at 8 weeks (IQR 4, min-max 6-28). Follow-up was 43 months (IQR 47, min-max 12-103). Sixteen patients were clinically evaluated (1 lost at follow-up). Fifteen patients presented excellent results and one had a fair result. One had 15º loss of motion, one had delayed union (ulna) and three patients had a second re-fracture. Conclusions: In this series, elastic stable intramedullary nails represented an effective technique for the treatment of forearm re-fractures in children. Although many require open reduction, time to union and complication rate seem to be similar to primary fractures treated with the same technique.

Keywords : Re-fractures; Forearm; Elastic intramedullary nailing; Children; Adolescents.

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