Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:Femoral shaft fracture incidence is approximatively 0.01% and results from high-energy trauma, often associated with polytrauma, comminuted fractures, and open fractures. The present study was conducted to compare elastic intramedullary nailing internal fixation and plate in the treatment of femoral shaft fracture in children. Materials & Methods:84 femoral shaft fractures in children of both genderswere divided into 2 groups of 42 each. Group I underwent internal fixation by minimally invasive elastic stable intramedullary nail and group IIunderwent open reduction based on internal fixation of plate. Results: The mean operation time was 68.1 minutes in group I and 142.4 minutes in group II, mean blood loss was 61.7 ml in group I and 143.1 ml in group II. Mean hospital stay was 6.8 days in group I and 15.7 days in group II, healing time was 62.4 days in group I and 80.3 days in group II and time of loaded off-bed activity was 82.7 days in group I and 125.7 days in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Fracture healing found to be excellent in 24 in group I and 9 in group II, good in 18 in group I and 10 in group II, moderate in 23 in group II. Common complications were ankylosis in 2 in group I, skin infection in 1 in group I and 2 in group II and angulation deformity 1 in group I and 3 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Femoral shaft fractures in pediatric patients can be treated with internal fixation of minimally invasive elastic intramedullary nail with less complications and better treatment outcome.