Traction and spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome of skin traction followed by spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children. METHODS: Between September 1997 and December 2001 inclusive, outcomes of 63 children aged one month to 15 (mean, 5.3) years with closed femoral shaft fractures managed with skin traction and spica casting were reviewed. Depending on age, patients were kept in traction from 2 to 15 (median, 9) days, then in spica casts for 2 to 8 (median, 5) weeks. RESULTS: Bony union took 3 to 12 (median, 6) weeks. There were no malunion, nonunion, or rotational deformities. Nor were there any significant limb length discrepancies, pressure sores, or nerve palsies. On no occasion was a spica cast removed and reapplied for loss of fracture reduction. At final follow-up, limb length discrepancy was noted in 14 (22%) of the patients, but none had a discrepancy of greater than 1.5 cm or a short-legged gait. CONCLUSION: Skin traction followed by spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children is safe, cost-effective and associated with a low complication rate. It is effective in children below 5 years of age and no less effective in older children, except in instances of open fracture, multiple fractures, or older children with large statures, which conditions render them intolerant to spica casts.     

Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children by early spica casting

Eighty-five children with femoral shaft fractures were studied prospectively to determine the benefits of early application of a single-hip spica cast. They were compared with 85 children with similar fractures treated by skin traction for 4 weeks followed by a spica cast for 2 weeks. The study revealed that femoral shaft fractures in children can be treated in a single-hip spica cast with results comparable to those achieved by traction. The additional advantages were substantial savings in cost, early reunion of child with parents and increased availability of beds.     

Skin traction in hip spica casting for femoral fractures in children

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skin traction in hip spica casting when applied as the standard treatment for children with femoral shaft fractures. Methods A total of 207 patients with femoral fractures were treated with this method. The average age was 4.7 years. After the application of skin traction, the fracture of the femur was reduced and was placed in a hip spica cast. Traction was continued in the cast. Results All fractures united within 4–8 weeks. No significant residual angular deformities were seen in any of the children. The only complication was refracture in two children who fell after removal of the cast. None of the children required external shoe lifts, epiphysiodesis, antibiotics, irrigation, or débridement. Conclusions Skin traction and a well-molded hip spica cast is a safe, reliable treatment option for isolated, closed femoral fractures in children 2–7 years of age.     

National trends in the treatment of femur fractures in the preschool population: Age and geography play a role

BackgroundSpica casting and elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) are options for diaphyseal femur fractures in preschool-age children (ages 3-6 years). Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are only of moderate or limited strength, which may lead to variation in practice. The purpose of this study is to analyze the epidemiology of children undergoing these procedures in the United States.MethodsThe Pediatric Health Information System, a national database consisting of 49 children's hospitals, was queried for patients between the ages of 3 and 6 years undergoing spica casting or ESIN for a diaphyseal femur fracture between 2011 and 2017. Non-diaphyseal fractures, subjects with associated syndromes or neuromuscular disorders, and pathologic fractures were excluded. Census guidelines were used to categorize hospitals geographically into regions and divisions. Univariate analysis was followed by purposeful entry multivariate regression to adjust for confounders.ResultsAnalysis included 4059 subjects. Spica casting was performed in 2878 children (71%) and ESIN in 1181 (29%). The median age of those undergoing spica casting was 3.0 years [interquartile range (IQR) 1 year] compared to 5.0 years for ESIN (IQR 2 years; p<0.01). When adjusting for covariates in a multivariate model, each year of increasing age resulted in 4.4 times higher odds that ESIN would be performed (95% CI 4.0-4.8, p<0.01). Compared to the Northeast, a child in the Midwest had 3.6 times higher odds of undergoing ESIN rather than spica casting (95% CI 2.6-5.1, p<0.01). Age at time of ESIN was lowest in the Midwest and highest in the Northeast (4.8±1.0 versus 5.3±0.9 years; p<0.01). There was no variation in the ratio of spica casting to ESIN performed in this age group between 2011 and 2017, including after release of the 2015 CPG.ConclusionsIn the United States, there is substantial variation in the chosen treatment for diaphyseal femur fractures in preschool-age children. ESIN is more likely to be chosen for older children. It is also most likely to be performed in the Midwest and least likely in the Northeast. These findings may have implications in terms of cost and resource utilization and suggest the need for more clinical data to guide surgical indications.     

Early casting of femoral shaft fractures in children

Twenty-six children with fractures of the femur were entered into a prospective study to determine the efficacy of treating certain of these fractures by early spica cast immobilization. They were compared with 50 consecutive patients with similar fractures who were treated prior to the study to determine the potential cost savings and decrease in patient days in hospital. The clinical results of treatment were compared with results from the literature and the previous group where applicable. Our conclusion from this study is that most femoral shaft fractures in children under 10 years of age can be treated by closed reduction and early spica cast immobilization with results that are at least as good as those achieved by conventional methods, and with a 70% savings in hospital cost. Factors such as obesity, swelling, shortening, comminution, and fracture type can all combine to give relative contraindications for the use of this technique.     

Early reduction versus skin traction in the orthopaedic treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children under 6 years old

Background  Femoral shaft fractures occur very frequently in children, and their prognosis usually is good. Nonoperative treatment is the gold standard for children under 6 years because of the excellent bony union and the remodelling qualities. Purpose  The aim of this study was to compare two orthopaedic therapeutic methods: skin traction versus immediate reduction. Materials and methods  The study involved 35 children, divided into two groups: in group 1, treatment consisted of skin traction for 21 days followed by hip spica casting; in group 2, an immediate reduction with early hip spica casting was performed. The ranges of motion, the delay before weight bearing, the hospitalisation duration and the required amount of painkillers were recorded. We compared initial shortening, axial, sagittal and rotational alignment, and femoral length discrepancy. We calculated the injured femoral diaphysal overgrowth and correlated it to the fracture type and location and to the initial shortening. Economical variables were also studied. Results  The mean overgrowth was 8.9 mm in group 1 and 8.5 mm in group 2. Three years after the trauma, length discrepancy was 4 mm in group 1 and 1 mm in group 2. Hip spica casting leads to significant reductions in weight-bearing delay, hospitalisation duration and pain. The cost of treatment with skin traction was four times higher (24,472 euros) than that of immediate reduction (6,384 euros). Discussion  Our results are in accordance with the literature. The femoral overgrowth was proportional to the initial shortening. Masculine gender, an oblique fracture and injury of the lower third of the femur were associated with the greatest femoral overgrowth. During the first year of follow-up, the femoral length discrepancy hardly varied after immediate reduction (4 mm), whereas the overgrowth reached 6 mm after skin traction. Overall, immediate hip spica casting leads to significant reductions in weight-bearing delay, hospitalisation duration, complications and costs, while having similar clinical results as traction.     

Spica cast application in the emergency room for select pediatric femur fractures

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immediate spica casting in the emergency room (ER) and evaluate the effect of discharge from the emergency room on short- term complications. DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients treated with immediate spica casting in the ER between June 1, 1993 and July 30, 2001. SETTING: Major, pediatric, orthopaedic trauma and referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 145 pediatric femur fractures in children, younger than age 7 years, treated with immediate spica casting in the ER were reviewed to determine radiographic outcome and short-term complication rates. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent immediate spica cast placement in the ER under conscious sedation. Patients meeting specific criteria were discharged immediately from the ER. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Radiographic acceptability of alignment at fracture union (angulation, shortening), loss of reduction, number of return visits to the emergency room, and clinical outcome at final follow-up. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 20 +/- 16 weeks (range, 1-9 months). Forty-eight patients (33%) were discharged from the ER. No clinical complications were noted at last follow-up. All children younger than age 2 years, and 86.5% of children ages 2 to 5 years, met acceptable malalignment parameters on final radiographs. There were 16 ER visits (11%) for cast problems. Re-reduction in the operating room was needed in 11 patients (8.9%); 6.9% of patients had a cast problem noted during follow-up visits. Only 9% of patients developed a major complication. Initial shortening was the only independent risk factor found to be associated with loss of reduction. Admission status had no significant effect on the number of ER visits or development of a complication. CONCLUSIONS: If there are no associated factors requiring admission (ie, child abuse or polytrauma), spica casting in the ER for pediatric femur fractures followed by immediate discharge can be safely performed with a low complication rate in children younger than age 6 years, nearly eliminating the need for general anesthesia.     

Comparison of Pavlik harness application and immediate spica casting for femur fractures in infants

This retrospective study compares Pavlik harness application versus spica casting for the treatment of children under 1 year of age with a femoral shaft fracture. The clinical and radiographic outcomes of 24 patients treated in a Pavlik harness were compared with 16 patients treated in a spica cast. The average age and weight of the two groups were significantly different, but there were no differences in radiographic outcomes between the Pavlik and spica cast groups. Approximately one third of all spica patients had a skin complication that added an additional risk to the patient. There were no similar complications in the Pavlik group. There were no differences in the outcome of the fractures in the two groups. The authors believe that all children under 1 year of age with a femoral shaft fracture are candidates for treatment with a Pavlik harness.     

Different types of femoral shaft fracture; different types of treatment: their effects on postoperative lower llimb discrepancy

Femoral shaft fracture in child is a disabling injury. Different methods of treatment can be used for femoral shaft fracture and depends on patient condition.THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to evaluate lower limb discrepancy following different method of treatment and possible related factors especially type of fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS. This retrospective cross sectional study was carried out in Imam Khomeini and Razi Hospital from 2003-2007 on children admitted to hospital with femur fracture. All children aged <12 years of age with diagnosis of femoral shaft fracture were included in this study. Different methods of treatment were flexible intramedullary nailing, rigid intramedullary nailing with Steinmann pin and spica casting, spica casting and closed reduction, and ORIF with plate and screw. Distance from hip to knee for each patient was determined in scanograms. Sex, age, side of involvement, type of fracture were recorded for each case. Analysis was done with SPSS ver. 16.0. ANOVAs, Chi-Square, and t-Test were used with CI=95%. RESULTS. In this study, 253 cases (M=182, F=71) were included. One hundred forty-six (57.7%) cases had right involvement and 107 (42.3%) of cases had left side involvement. From all cases, 135(53.4%) cases had no changes in lower limb length. Eleven (4.3%) cases had lower limb shortening and 107(42.3%) cases had lower limb lengthening. Type A1 and type A2 showed greatest lower limb discrepency among cases who underwent ORIF with screw & plate fixation, and spica casting with closed reduction respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS. There is significant difference among surgical and non surgical treatment for LLD. Spica casting and closed reduction has the least changes compared to other methods. Sex, side of involvement, type of fracture, and location had no effect in post operative length changes. Type of fracture, only, has a role in screw and plate fixation group and this is may be due to the differences between A1 and A3 fractures. Most of the changes were seen in the range of 60 through 120 months of age. Most of the changes were in the range +10 to +20 mm.     

Stabilization of pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures with flexible intramedullary nails (a technique paper).

The indications for surgical stabilization of a pediatric diaphyseal femur fracture are expanding. Children with multiple system injuries, a head injury, and/or multiple fractures have fewer local and distant complications if the femur fracture is treated operatively. Other indications include a pathological fracture in osteoporotic bone, a fracture in a child with a preexisting condition that prevents the application of a spica cast, a child older than 10 years of age, or a child less than 10 years of age who cannot be kept adequately aligned using conventional (traction/casting) methods of fracture management. Here we describe a technique of stabilizing pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures using flexible intramedullary nails (Ender). This technique can be used in children of all ages and with all patterns of diaphyseal fractures.     

Femoral shaft fractures in children: traction and casting versus elastic stable intramedullary nailing

BACKGROUND: Treatment of pediatric femoral fractures by 90/90 traction and spica casting (TXN/CST) has begun to be replaced by elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). The purpose of our study was to perform a cost analysis of TXN/CST versus ESIN in addition to comparing clinical/functional parameters. METHODS: We reviewed all children admitted with femoral shaft fractures between January 1995 and April 1998. Overall cost and clinical/radiographic outcome measures were analyzed, and 60% of patients' parents completed a follow-up telephone interview. Sixty-eight patients representing 71 femoral shaft fractures that had complete data and 1-year follow-up were included. RESULTS: No difference existed between the two groups for standard clinical/functional criteria. ESIN was associated with a lower overall cost than TXN/CST. ESIN also resulted in better scar acceptance, and higher overall parent satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Less cost and comparable clinical outcome make ESIN a better option than traditional TXN/CST for femoral fracture care in the skeletally immature patient.     

External fixation of paediatric subtrochanteric fractures using calcar rather than neck pins

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures in children are uncommon and have received limited attention in the literature. Its treatment is controversial, and different options are available: traction, spica casting, internal fixation and external fixation. The aim of this study is to present our results with external fixation of subtrochanteric femoral fractures in children using Ilizarov frame. Between January 2012 and January 2014, 14 patients with closed subtrochanteric femoral fractures were treated in Cairo University School of Medicine Teaching Hospital. The average age at the time of injury was 6.4 years (range 3.8–11.5 years). Pathological fractures and fractures associated with neuromuscular diseases were excluded from this study. Two patients were multiply injured with abdominal injuries (as ruptured spleen). In all cases, a low profile Ilizarov frame was inserted using two half pins inserted proximally from greater to lesser trochanters parallel to the hip joint orientation line (line between tip of greater trochanter and femoral head centre) and secured to an arch, and another three half pins were inserted distally perpendicular to the femoral shaft and secured to an arch that was connected by three rods to the proximal arch. No post-operative spica was used. Average follow-up was 18 months (range 12–36 months). All fractures united with anatomical alignment within an average of 8 weeks (range 6–12 weeks). There were no deep infections and no significant limb length discrepancies. At the latest follow-up, no patient had any restriction of activities. External fixation with a low profile Ilizarov frame appears as a good treatment option for subtrochanteric femoral fractures in children.Level of evidence: Level IV.     

Displaced hip fractures in children and adolescents

The results of ten acute, displaced proximal femoral fractures in patients 14 years and under are reported. These high-risk fractures were managed with urgent open reduction and pin or screw fixation with supplemental spica casting. The exception to this protocol was in two Delbet's type IV (intertrochanteric) fractures which were managed by closed reduction and spica casting. There was a case of partial avascular necrosis of the femoral head in a type I transepiphyseal fracture. At a minimum followup of 2 years the patients were asymptomatic with no significant limitation of hip motion.     

Resource implications of managing paediatric femoral fractures in a major trauma centre: Analysis of 98 cases

IntroductionThe management of paediatric femoral shaft fractures is expensive and is guided by age and fracture characteristics. The primary aim of this study was to perform a cost evaluation for managing paediatric femoral shaft fractures. The secondary aim of this study was to perform and compare costs of the different techniques of managing paediatric femoral shaft fractures.MethodsNinety-eight femoral shaft fractures in children aged ≤16 were identified between 01/06/2014–30/06/2019. Retrospective data of clinical complications were obtained on infection, malunion and non-union. Data on additional intervention, reoperations for complications and routine removal of metal work were obtained. Costing analysis was performed by a bottom-up calculation, and gathering Patient Level Information and Costing System (PLICS) data.ResultsThere were 41 hip spica casting (HSC), 21 flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN), 14 submuscular plating (SMP), 19 rigid intramedullary nailing (RIN) and 3 external fixation (EF). Complications observed were HSC 3(7%); FIN 8(38%); SMP 2(14%); RIN 1(5%); EF 2(67%). The total costs for managing femoral shaft fractures were £8,955pp the costs for the different managements were; HSC £3,442pp; FIN £7,739pp; SMP £6,953pp; RIN £8,925pp; EF £19,116pp. The additional costs incurred for managing complications and routine removal of metal work for the internal fixation methods were: HSC 0.7%, FIN 23.7%, SMP 16.3%, RIN 10.9%, EF 28.1%.ConclusionThe operative management of paediatric femoral shaft fractures is associated with a high cost burden and this study demonstrates how financial data can be used to influence clinical management strategy. RIN carry a high initial implant cost however when considering the additional costs, such as treating complications it remains comparable to other modes of fixation. Our cost analysis did not demonstrate a significant difference between FIN, SMP and RIN. Due to the clinical complications observed and associated additional costs, we have discontinued the routine use of FIN for femoral shaft fractures at our centre. We recognise other centres may have a different complication and cost profile for each technique, but recommend they evaluate their practice given the potential economic benefit it has on the service provider.     

Comparison of titanium elastic nails with traction and a spica cast to treat femoral fractures in children

BACKGROUND: Titanium elastic nails are commonly used to stabilize femoral fractures in school-aged children, but there have been few studies assessing the risks and benefits of this procedure compared with those of traditional traction and application of a spica cast. This prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate these two methods of treatment, with a specific focus on the first year after injury, the period when the treatment method should have the greatest impact. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive children, six to sixteen years of age, were studied prospectively. Factors that were analyzed included clinical and radiographic data, complications, hospital charges, and outcome data. Outcome and recovery were assessed both with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Pediatric Outcomes Data Collections Instrument, version 2.0, and according to a series of important recovery milestones including the time to walking with aids, time to independent walking, time absent from school, and time until full activity was allowed. RESULTS: Thirty-five children (thirty-five fractures), with a mean age of 8.7 years, were treated with traction and application of a spica cast, and forty-eight children (forty-nine fractures), with a mean age of 10.2 years, were treated with titanium elastic nails. All fractures healed, and no child sustained a complication that was expected to cause permanent disability. At one year after the fracture, eighty of the children had acceptable alignment and no inequality between the lengths of the lower extremities. The remaining three children, who had an unsatisfactory result, had been treated with traction and a spica cast. Twelve patients (34%) treated with traction and a cast had a complication compared with ten patients (21%) treated with titanium elastic nails. Compared with the children treated with traction and a cast, those treated with titanium elastic nails had shorter hospitalization, walked with support sooner, walked independently sooner, and returned to school earlier. These differences were significant (p < 0.0001). We could detect no difference in total hospital charges between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study support the recent empiric observations and published results of retrospective series indicating that a child in whom a femoral fracture is treated with titanium elastic nails achieves recovery milestones significantly faster than a child treated with traction and a spica cast. Hospital charges for the two treatment methods are similar. The complication rate associated with nailing compares favorably with that associated with traction and application of a spica cast.     

Femoral shaft fractures in children

Femoral shaft fractures are the commonest diaphyseal fractures of childhood after those of the radial and ulnar shaft and the tibial shaft. Common mechanisms include falls, particularly from playground equipment, motor vehicle accidents and sporting injuries. Unlike in adults, femoral shaft fractures are commonly isolated injuries in children. In infants, they may be due to non-accidental injury. Treatment of femoral shaft fractures varies with the age and size of children, associated injuries and local practice. Current modalities used for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures include various forms of traction, immediate and late spica casting, elastic nailing, external fixation, plate fixation, and conventional intramedullary nailing for older children and adolescents. All these forms of treatment have been reported as being successful in cohort studies. Very few comparative studies exist. The main current controversies are the age at which elastic nailing becomes appropriate instead of conservative management, and secondly, the treatment of the older, heavier child for whom elastic nails may not be appropriate. Familiarity with several methods of femoral shaft stabilisation is appropriate. The major determinant in the choice of treatment is cultural.     

Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children using the "Tobruk" method

The "Tobruk" technique of plaster augmentation of a Thomas' splint can be used for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children. The radiological and clinical data of 118 patients treated using this method were reviewed over a consecutive 3-year period. The mean age of the patients was 4.25 years. Mean hospital stay was 14.11 days. Mean time spent in the "Tobruk" splint was 44.77 days. Loss of reduction during splintage occurred in 9.32% of patients. Skin complications occurred in 5 patients (4.2%), and cast repairs were necessary in 3 patients. "Tobruk" splinting is a relatively safe and effective way of treating femoral shaft fractures in children. Although its use is not widespread, especially in the United States, until better results are achieved with spica casting and elastic stable intramedullary nails, it does provide a valid option in the treatment of these fractures. A controlled randomized prospective trial with long-term follow-up is needed to fully elucidate its value.     

Paediatric femoral fractures: factors influencing length of stay and readmission rate

AIM: This report describes factors influencing length of stay and unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge for children presenting with femoral fractures to Starship Hospital. METHODS: The charts and radiographs of all children admitted with femoral shaft fractures between January 1998 and December 2002 were reviewed, excluding pathological fractures. The type of management, the length of stay and the unexpected readmission rate within 30 days were recorded. Ninety-three children with 95 femoral fractures were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty-six fractures were treated by application of immediate hip spica and 49 by other surgical methods (21 by external fixation, 20 by flexible intramedullary nailing and 8 by other methods). Patients with isolated femur fractures treated by either hip spica application or other operative fixation had median lengths of stay of 3 days (range 1-10 days) and 6 days (range 2-15 days), respectively. Patients with associated injuries, whose femur fractures were treated by either hip spica application or other operative fixation, had longer median lengths of stay of 5 days (3-15 days) and 17 days (5-70 days), respectively. Nine of the 93 children had an unplanned return to the operating theatre during their initial hospital stay, with increased length of stay in 5 as a result. A further 21 children were readmitted within 30 days of discharge with problems of loss of fracture alignment and cast damage in the hip spica group; pin-site infections in the external fixation group and pain around the distal nail insertion site in the flexible intramedullary nailing group. Despite these early problems, fracture alignment was satisfactory at union in 89 of the 95 fractures, with satisfactory remodelling in the remaining six fractures at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of associated injuries was a key factor in the length of the initial hospital stay. However, the need for further operative interventions in the first hospital stay also increased the length of stay in some patients. Overall, the operative management of femoral fractures is resource intensive with a significant need for further minor operative intervention, regardless of the type of initial management.     

小儿闭合性股骨干骨折三种治疗方法比较

目的: 比较小儿闭合性股骨干骨折三种方法治疗的效果。方法: 回顾分析骨牵引加石膏外固定、单臂多功能外固定支架及加压钢板内固定治疗小儿闭合性股骨干骨折79例,从临床功能、愈合时间、并发症、X线片检查及经济方面对治疗结果进行综合评定比较。结果: 牵引固定组住院时间长于外固定架组和内固定组(P<0. 001), 外固定架组愈合时间短于牵引组和内固定组(P<0. 05), 费用明显少于牵引组、内固定组(P<0. 01)。结论: 单臂多功能外固定支架治疗小儿闭合性股骨干骨折效果理想, 综合评价优于骨牵引加石膏外固定和加压钢板内固定治疗。     

The treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children: a systematic overview and critical appraisal of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Through a critical systematic overview of the literature on the treatment of pediatric femoral shaft fractures to determine if any method of treatment can be recommended over others. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was performed for all cohort and randomized clinical trials for the years 1966 to 1996. STUDY SELECTION: Of 1217 identified articles, 15 cohort studies (where 2 or more treatments were compared in the same study) reported the treatment of children with femoral fractures. DATA EXTRACTION: Information was abstracted and articles rated for quality blind to author, institution and journal. DATA SYNTHESIS: Children having early application of a hip spica cast had an average hospital stay of 11 days (range from 5 to 29 days), average charges of $5784 (range from $590 to $11,800), average rates of limb-length discrepancy (greater than 2 cm) of 3% (range from 0 to 25%), angulatory malunion rates (greater than 10 degrees) of 8% (range from 0 to 19%), and rotational malunion rates (greater than 10 degrees) of 13% (range from 0 to 5%). The costs and malunion rates of early application of a hip spica cast were lower than for traction. Internal fixation (including intramedullary nails) had low angulatory malunion rates compared with early application of a hip spica cast but higher over-lengthening rates (greater than 2 cm) of 25% (range from 5% to 100%) and mean rotational malunion rates (greater than 10 degrees) of 25% (range from 11% to 32%). CONCLUSION: Early application of a hip spica cast had lower costs and malunion rates than traction.