Intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures in children through the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter using a modified rigid humeral intramedullary nail: preliminary results of a new technique in 15 children

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical results of intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures using a rigid intramedullary nail placed through the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter in older children and adolescents. DESIGN: A retrospective study was carried out evaluating all skeletally immature patients with femoral shaft fractures treated using a modified rigid humeral intramedullary nail. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen children and adolescents with displaced femoral diaphyseal fractures and open physes. INTERVENTION: Femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents were stabilized using a modified humeral intramedullary nail placed through the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Patients were evaluated to determine time to union, final fracture alignment, hospital stay, complications, clinical outcome, and proximal femoral changes including avascular necrosis or proximal femoral valgus with femoral neck narrowing. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year (range 70-157 weeks). The average age of the patients was 12 years and 5 months (range 8 years and 2 months-17 years and 1 month). All fractures healed at a mean of 7 weeks (range 5-14 weeks) after fracture. The average hospital stay for patients with isolated femur fractures (8/15) was 2.8 days (range 1-5 days). At an average follow-up of 141 weeks (range 70-326 weeks), no patient had developed avascular necrosis, femoral neck valgus, femoral neck narrowing, or other complications. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of intramedullary nailing in children through the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter seems to be safe, effective, and well tolerated by patients.     

Marknagelung des Femurs mit einem helikalen Implantat (LFN®)

Objective

Antegrade femoral nailing through a greater trochanteric entry portal avoids damage to the proximal external rotators and to the ramus profundus of the medial femoral circumflex artery, furthermore eases insertion in adipose subjects. However a helical nail shape is necessary for this pathway because bending in two perpendicular planes has to be passed by the nail.

Indications

All femoral shaft fractures suitable for antegrade nailing (type 32-A/B/C). Additional femoral neck fractures (type 31-B) by using proximal Recon-interlocking screws.

Contraindications

The common contraindications for femoral nailing. In certain subtrochanteric fractures (Type 32-A/B) the proximal femoral nail may be favorable.

Surgical technique

General or spinal anesthesia. Supine position with flexion/abduction of the contralateral leg in order to facilitate fluoroscopy of the proximal femur in a true lateral view. Closed reduction of length and axis. Measurement of length and diameter of the nail using a radiolucent ruler. Dorsolateral approach to the greater trochanter. Insertion of the guide wire 10 mm lateral to the trochanteric tip (anteroposterior view) and in the middle third of the trochanter (lateral view). Reaming of the insertion point using a flexible reamer. If reaming of the entire medullary canal is desired, this should be done using a long intramedullary guide wire in combination with a long flexible reamer. Insertion of the nail starts in an anterior position and ends in a lateral position of the insertion instrument, so a 90° external rotation of the nail occurs during insertion. Proximal interlocking is performed using the guide of the insertion instrument. Check interfragmentary rotation. Distal interlocking using a radiolucent drill device.

Postoperative management

Depends on the fracture shape: stable interfragmentary support may allow early full weight bearing. Otherwise, reduced weight bearing is recommended for at least 6 weeks.

Results

In a prospective mulicentric study, 227 helical femoral nails were used for antegrade femoral nailing. Follow-up after 12 month was available in 74?%. Surgeons’ rating for ease of identifying entry site was excellent or good in 89?%. Functional and radiological results after 12 months do not prove significant benefits over conventional antegrade femoral nails.     

Intramedullary nailing of femoral fractures in adolescents

Fifty femoral shaft fractures were treated with reamed, interlocking, intramedullary nails utilizing a greater trochanteric starting point from 1991 through 1998. The 17 girls and 31 boys ranged in age from 10 to 16 years (mean, 13.2 years) at the time of injury. Average follow-up after fracture was 16 months. All fractures united, and the average leg-length discrepancy was 1 mm (range, -10 mm to +11 mm). No patient had angular or rotational deformities. No patients developed osseous necrosis of the femoral head. Despite intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanteric apophysis, articulotrochanteric distance measurements increased only 4.5 mm at the time of last follow-up. No patient developed significant proximal femoral deformity with some follow-up as far as 60 months from the time of surgery. Intramedullary nailing through a trochanteric starting point is a safe, effective method for treating femur fractures in this adolescent age group.     

Subtrochantäre Femurfrakturen

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures are proximal femoral fractures which are located between the trochanter minor and an area of 3 cm below the minor trochanter on the femoral shaft. About 10–15?% of all proximal femoral fractures correspond to this fracture site. Elderly or geriatric patients are generally affected and the injury is often the result of a fall in the home, while high-energy trauma is the cause in a small group of generally younger patients. Clinical evaluation of the affected extremity shows disability of axial weight-bearing and pain during compression and rotation of the hip joint. Basic diagnostics include conventional x-rays of the injured femur in the anterior–posterior and lateral planes. These subtrochanteric femoral fractures are almost always treated surgically due to the inherent high degree of instability. The main goals of surgical intervention are to achieve anatomic fracture reduction and primary full weight-bearing stability of the corresponding leg. Intramedullary interlocking nails are used for primary treatment, while extramedullary implants are often used in revision surgery. Early mobilization and intensive respiratory exercises are necessary to prevent early postoperative complications.     

Russell-Taylor重建钉内固定治疗股骨干多节段骨折并同侧股骨颈骨折

目的 探讨使用Russell-Taylor股骨重建钉内固定治疗股骨干多节段骨折并同侧股骨颈骨折的临床疗效、手术要点和围手术期注意事项。方法 对1998年6月～2002年10月使用股骨重建钉静力固定治疗7例的疗效进行回顾性分析。手术采用闭合穿钉、小切口切开复位。结果 平均股骨颈骨折临床愈合时间5.2个月、股骨干骨折7.3个月,一期骨折愈合率达到71.4％(5/7),其中2例术后12、15个月远端骨折段骨延迟愈合改为动力固定,4～6个月后骨折愈合。无股骨头坏死征象。1例浅表感染。结论 股骨颈骨折强调不切开复位,并争取解剖复位;股骨干骨折则常规闭合穿钉、小切口复位、有限扩髓、静力固定。认为股骨重建钉是目前治疗股骨干多节段骨折并同侧股骨颈骨折的最佳方法。     

青少年型锁定髓内钉治疗儿童股骨干骨折的疗效

目的 评估青少年型锁定髓内钉治疗儿童股骨干骨折的疗效.方法 采用经大转子外侧置入锁定髓内钉治疗21例儿童股骨干骨折.评估患侧髋、膝关节的功能,测量双下肢长度、股骨颈干角及股骨颈直径,记录切口感染、股骨头缺血性坏死、髋外翻和股骨颈狭窄等并发症发生情况.结果 患儿均获得随访,时间8～34个月.骨折均愈合,时间10～28周....     

The femoral neck lengthening osteotomy

Surgical Principles Premature closure of the epiphyseal plate can be a complication of hip dysplasia, Perthes disease, trauma or septic arthritis of the hip. As a result, the proximal femur may show a typical deformity with shortening of the neck of the femur and relative overgrowth of the greater trochanter. The femoral neck lengthening osteotomy aims at restoring the normal anatomy with restitution of the length of the femoral neck and leg length, and improving the lever arm of the abductors. The procedure includes three osteotomies parallel to the blade of a 130° or 120° blade plate. Lateralization of the shaft effectively lengthens the femoral neck. A part of the overgrown greater trochanter is used to fill the gap proximally to the lateralized shaft. The remaining trochanter is pulled distally and fixed to the femur. Revised Version from: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 1 (1989), 170–178 (German Edition).     

股骨重建钉治疗股骨干合并同侧股骨颈、股骨转子间骨折

目的探讨应用股骨重建钉内固定治疗股骨干合并同侧股骨颈、股骨转子间骨折的临床疗效.方法 10例使用股骨重建钉内固定治疗,对采用闭合穿钉或小切口复位穿钉手术的疗效进行回顾性分析.结果患者均获得随访,时间6～24个月.股骨颈、股骨转子间骨折平均愈合时间为5.1个月,股骨干骨折平均愈合时间为7个月,髋膝关节活动良好,无股骨头坏死征象.结论股骨重建钉是目前治疗股骨干合并同侧股骨颈、股骨转子间骨折有效的方法.     

Through-the-nail technique

Ipsilateral fractures of the neck of the femur and the femoral shaft are uncommon injuries and they present considerable challenge as the concurrent survival of the femoral head and union of the femoral shaft fracture is of paramount importance. We present a young male patient who sustained a Garden IV fracture of the neck of his right femur following a road traffic accident, with the fracture being adjacent to an ipsilateral intramedullary nail inserted 10 years previously for a midshaft femoral fracture; the nail was broken, with its proximal fragment lying behind the greater trochanter. The patient was operated on within 6 hours from the injury. An attempt was made to remove the nail but this was abandoned as warring iatrogenic bone loss was encountered, due to the proximity of the fracture to the nail entry point. Instead, three cancellous lag-screws were inserted to fix the fracture in a triangular fashion. Two screws placed posteriorly behind the nail, and one anterior screw through the nail.     

Long proximal femoral nail in ipsilateral fractures proximal femur and shaft of femur

Background:

Ipsilateral fractures of the proximal femur and femoral shaft are extremely uncommon injuries which occur in young adults who sustain a high energy trauma. A variety of management modalities have been tried to treat this complex fracture pattern ranging from conservative approach to recently introduced reconstruction nails. All these approaches have their own difficulties. We studied the outcome of long proximal femoral nail (LPFN) in the management of concomitant ipsilateral fracture of the proximal femur and femoral shaft.

Materials and Methods:

We analysed the prospective data of 36 consecutive patients who had sustained a high energy trauma (30 closed fractures and 6 open shaft fractures) who had concomitant ipsilateral fractures of the femoral shaft associated with proximal femur fractures treated with LPFN between December 2005 and December 2011. The mean age was 39 years (range 28-64 years). Twenty nine males and seven females were enrolled for this study.

Results:

The patients were followed up at three, six, twelve, and eighteen months. The mean healing time for the neck fractures was 4.8 months and for the shaft fractures was 6.2 months. The greater trochanter was splintered and widened in two cases which eventually consolidated. Two patients had superficial infection, two patients had lateral migration of the screws with coxa vara which was due to severe osteoporosis detected during the followup. We had two cases of nonunion of shaft fracture and one case of nonunion of neck fracture. Two cases of avascular necrosis of femoral head were detected after 2 years of followup. No cases of implant failure were noted. Limb shortening of less than 2 cms was noted in four of our patients. The functional assessment system of Friedman and Wyman was used for evaluating the results. In our series 59.9% (n = 23) were rated as good, 30.6% (n = 11) as fair, and 5.5% (n = 2) as poor.

Conclusion:

Long PFN is a reliable option for concomitant ipsilateral diaphyseal and proximal femur fractures.     

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.     

Novel potential marker for native anteversion of the proximal femur

Identifying native femoral version from proximal femoral landmarks would be of benefit both for preoperative assessment as well as intraoperatively. To identify potential markers for femoral anteversion, an empirical framework was developed for orientation‐independent analysis of the proximal femur from pelvic CT to allow for segmentation of the proximal femur into five constituent regions: Femoral head, femoral neck, greater trochanter, lesser trochanter and femoral shaft. The framework is based on the identification of differences in the radius of curvature at anatomic zones of transition between regions of the proximal femur, followed by non‐linear geometric shape fitting. The framework is applied to 86 proximal femurs segmented from pelvic CTs, with at least 2 cm of proximal femur remaining below the lesser trochanter, obtained for non‐musculoskeletal pathology to investigate potential proximal femoral markers for native femoral version. The analysis of the proximal femur suggests a fixed relationship between the maximal femoral canal diameter 1 cm proximal to the base of the lesser trochanter from the center of the greater trochanter and the femoral neck axis of 4.13° +/− 4.99°. Further full‐length femoral studies are needed to confirm the relationship of the maximal canal diameter as a proxy for native femoral anteversion. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1724–1731, 2017.

     

Intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children via the trochanter tip

Closed rigid intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children has been associated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is thought to result from damage to the medial femoral circumflex artery by placing the nail through the piriformis fossa. The authors describe the early results of a technique in which the nail is placed through the tip of the greater trochanter, thus avoiding the piriformis fossa and possible damage to the medial circumflex artery. Between 1988 and 1995, the authors performed this procedure on 34 patients, who ranged in age from 10 years 2 months to 17 years 6 months. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 120 months. There were no infections, nonunions, rotational deformities, or implant failures. Twenty patients with open physes had a followup of 2 years or more. To date, no patient had avascular necrosis of the femoral head develop. The trochanteric tip entry point is recommended for closed rigid intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents.     

微创髓内钉插入技术治疗股骨干骨折的初步结果

目的探讨采用微创髓内钉固定技术治疗股骨干骨折的近期疗效。方法自2002年9月～2004年12月应用小切口闭合复位、微创髓内钉插入固定技术治疗股骨干骨折23例,根据AO分型:A2型3例,A3型4例,B2型6例,B3型4例,C1型5例,C2型1例。记录手术时间、输血量和术后并发症以及术后住院时间。结果平均手术时间90min(60～150min),平均输血量60mL(0～400mL)。无明显的术中和术后并发症。平均住院时间4d(3～7d)。结论采用微创顺行髓内钉插入固定技术治疗股骨干骨折具有创伤小、不输血、恢复快、并发症少的优点,是治疗股骨干骨折的一种微创技术。     

Ipsilateral femoral shaft and hip fractures

A midshaft femoral fracture in a high-energy trauma victim should prompt the orthopedist to search carefully for an ipsilateral fracture of the femoral neck. This fracture will be present in 5 per cent of patients, and the incidence may be increasing. Management of the femoral neck fracture should include emergent capsulotomy, anatomic reduction, and rigid fixation with compression. Management of the femoral shaft should not interfere with these goals because of the risk of post-traumatic necrosis of the femoral head. Successful methods of management of the femoral shaft fracture have included compression plating, retrograde Kuntscher nailing, and interlocking nails. Approaches to the treatment of concomitant intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures should be selected according to the skill and experience of the surgeon and the availability of equipment.     

股骨重建钉治疗同侧股骨颈、干骨折

目的 探讨使用股骨重建钉内固定治疗同侧股骨颈、干骨折的临床疗效、手术要点和围手术期注意事项。方法 对12例使用股骨重建钉治疗的疗效进行回顾性分析。手术采用闭合穿钉、闭合或小切口切开复位，用三维瞄准器锁定远骨折端，股骨颈保持15。前倾角置人2枚拉力螺纹钉。结果 11例获得随访，随访平均时间12．3个月(6～58个月)。远期疗效按马元璋评定标准：优5例，良4例，可2例，优良率81．8％，平均股骨颈骨折临床愈合时间5．2个月、股骨干骨折临床愈合时间6．7个月，一期骨折愈合率达到72．7％，其中3例术后10，12，15个月远骨折段骨延迟愈合，改为动力固定，4～6个月后骨折愈合。无股骨头坏死征象。结论 股骨颈骨折强调不切开复位，并争取解剖复位；股骨干骨折则常规闭合穿钉、小切口复位、有限扩髓、静力固定。股骨重建钉是目前治疗股骨干粉碎性骨折伴同侧股骨颈骨折的有效方法。     

An intramedullary nail with multifunctional interlocking for all types of fracture in both femurs

Objective: A femoral compound interlocking intramedullary nail (FCIIN) was designed to treat all types of fractures between the trochanter and epicondyle of both femurs. It could substitute for femoral interlocking intramedullary nails (FIIN) at five points. Methods: According to the morphological characteristics of the femoral medullary canal, the nail is designed to accommodate a 1250 mm radius of radian and a 135° neck‐shaft angle. Three interlocking holes of 6.5 mm diameter are located at the proximal end of the FCIIN, making crossing of the screws possible. The hole is designed to be vertical (90°) or oblique (45° upper or lower). At the tip of the proximal interlocking screws, whose root diameter gradually increases from 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm, a self‐tapping cancellous screw is placed. There are two types of distal interlocking screws. One is a fine thread and the other a bolt screw. Two interlocking holes and a recess 4.5 mm in diameter are located at the distal end of the FCIIN. Under biomechanical destructive testing, the proximal interlocking screw device has satisfactory strength and reasonable structure. A total of 47 patients (31 males and 16 females, with an average age of 39.83 years) with femoral fractures were assessed in this study. Fourteen cases were diagnosed as intertrochanteric, 7 as subtrochanteric, 18 as femoral shaft, and 8 as supracondylar fractures. All 47 patients were treated with the FCIIN. Results: Of the 47 patients, anatomic reduction was achieved in 34, good reduction in 11, and forced line reduction in 2 cases. Reduction was excellent or good in 95.87% of the fractures. The removal time of the FCIIN was 12 to 21 months (average, 16.9 months). One patient with an intertrochanteric fracture who had a fixation failure combined with non‐union achieved healing with an external fixator at 18 months. Failure to insert the distal interlocking screws occurred in 5 patients but did not affect bone healing. Conclusion: The FCIIN is a useful device in the treatment of a variety of femoral fractures.     

The functional results of tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nail compressed by proximal tube

Nailing of tibial shaft fractures is considered the gold standard surgical method by many surgeons. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcome of tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nails compressed by proximal tube and conventional intramedullary interlocking nails. Fifty-seven patients with tibial shaft fractures, treated with intramedullary nails compressed by proximal tube (n = 32) and the conventional interlocking nails (n = 25), were reviewed. All fractures except for one were united without any additional surgical intervention in the proximal compression tube nail group, whereas in the conventional interlocking nail group, six patients needed dynamization surgery (p = 0.005) and three cases of nonunion were recorded. In the proximal compression tube nail group, faster union occurred in 20 ± 2 (16–24) weeks (mean ± SD; range) without failure of locking screws and proximal nail migration, whereas in the conventional interlocking nail group, union occurred in 22 ± 2.5 (17–27) weeks (p = 0.001) with two failures of locking screws and two proximal nail migration. The proximal compression tube nail system is safer than the conventional nailing methods for the treatment for transverse and oblique tibial shaft fractures with a less rate of nonunion, proximal locking screw failure and proximal nail migration.     

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head following intramedullary nailing of the femur in a skeletally mature young adult: a case report

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a well-documented complication of intramedullary nailing (IMN) of femoral shaft fractures in adolescents and children (age range, 10 years to 13 years 10 months). In adults, AVN after IMN has been reported in association with femoral neck fractures, intra-articular hip injuries, steroid use, and various other medical conditions. With those factors set aside, the literature includes only 1 case of AVN after IMN in an adult. Now we report the case of a previously healthy, skeletally mature young adult male who, at age 16 years 0 month, was treated with IMN after a traumatic femoral shaft fracture and subsequently developed AVN of the femoral head.     

股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的诊断与治疗

[目的]探讨股骨干骨折合并同侧股骨颈骨折的临床特点、漏诊原因和治疗方法。[方法]1999～2005年本院收治股骨干骨折伴同侧股骨颈骨折患者12例，回顾性分析这12例患者的临床资料。术前诊断股骨颈骨折7例，术中诊断2例，术后发现合并股骨颈骨折3例。其中3例采用股骨重建髓内针同时固定股骨干和股骨颈骨折，2例采用动力髋螺钉（DHS）固定，1例采用空心钉固定股骨颈骨折，再行闭合复位逆行带锁髓内钉固定股骨干骨折，2例采用顺行带锁髓内钉（UFN）结合空心钉固定，1例合并股骨髁上骨折，采用LISS—DF固定股骨干和股骨髁上髁间骨折，空心钉固定股骨颈，3例采用钢板固定2～3d后发现股骨颈骨折，再行空心钉固定。[结果]术后随访1～6年，平均3．4年，股骨干骨折均愈合，股骨颈骨折愈合11例，其中1例畸形愈合，不愈合1例，股骨头坏死1例。[结论]股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折相对较少，漏诊率较高，对于高能量损伤患者应提高警惕，常规摄骨盆前后位X线片，必要时行CT检查，治疗应根据股骨干骨折的部位和股骨颈骨折的移位程度来确定内固定方式。