Osteosynthesis in isolated sternum fracture in a boy athlete

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Currently, the number of childhood patients with chest injuries is increasing about 12% of peacetime injuries. This is primarily due to non-compliance with various safety measures and increased traffic accidents.
 CLINICAL CASE: This article presents a rare clinical observation of a 9-year-old male with a sternal fracture with displacement of fragments. The presented clinical observation draws attention to the treatment option open reposition of fragments with their further fixation with lavsan threads.
 DISCUSSION: In cases of treating sternal fractures with fragment displacement, various versions of osteosynthesis can be used: external fixation (with a plate and screws), intraosseous (spoke osteosynthesis), transosseous (application of a serclay or lavsan suture), off-collar (external fixing devices, original authors designs). The described method is easy to execute and accessible to almost every surgical or trauma hospital providing care to children.
 CONCLUSIONS: One option for osteosynthesis in isolated sternal fractures in children between 10 and 12 years old is the application of lavsan sutures in the open reposition of fragments. An important advantage of this technique is the absence of the need to remove fixing structures, which is accompanied by tissue injuries and increased patient hospital stays, reducing the quality of life. In addition, the described method has low trauma and noteworthy cosmetic results.