Effectiveness comparison of titanium elastic nail and locking compression plate fixation in treating femoral subtrochanteric fractures in older children

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of titanium elastic nail (TEN) and locking compression plate fixation in treating femoral subtrochanteric fracture in older children. Between April 2015 and September 2016, 35 older children (aged 7-13 years) with femoral subtrochanteric fractures were treated, the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. TEN fixation was used in 19 cases (group A) and locking compression plate fixation in 16 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, sides, fracture causes, type of fracture, and time from injury to operation between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The fluoroscopy times, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time were recorded and compared between 2 groups. The limb function was evaluated according to the Sanders scores and Flynn et al. outcome score. All the patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 11.46 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time of group A were significantly less than those of group B, but the fluoroscopy times of group A was significantly more than that of group B ( P<0.05). All the fractures were healed, no breakage of screw, infection of deep tissue, nerve injury, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, or other complication occurred. At last follow-up, according to the Sanders scores, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case in group A with an excellent and good rate of 94.74%; the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case in group B with an excellent and good rate of 93.75%; showing no significant difference between 2 groups ( χ2=0.400, P=0.980). According to the Flynn et al. outcome score, the results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case in group A with an excellent and good rate of 94.74%; the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases in group B with an excellent and good rate of 87.50%; showing no significant difference between 2 groups ( χ2=0.748, P=0.688). Both TEN and locking compression plate have satisfactory outcomes for treating pediatric femoral subtrochanteric fractures. TEN method has minimally trauma, security, and faster fracture healing when compared with locking compression plate.