Su2.7 Is usage of elastic stable intramedullary nailing for tibial fractures in children still an effective method?

Abstract

malaligment, follow-up time, functional outcomes (Flynn outcome scoring) were recorded. Results: Mean age was 9.6 years for all cases. Nail removal was at a mean24.4weeks. Eighteenpatients had complications, six insufficent reduction, two refracture, four deep infection, one delayed union which needs revision, two lower extremity lenght discrepancy more than 15mm, three skin impingements. Unexpected surgical revision was required in seven cases.Mean admision timewas 14 hours,mean number of X-rays from the diagnosis time to removed time of nail/s was 24. All patients showed excellent or satisfactory results of Flynn’s criteria. The time to full-weight bearing was 51.3 days (p <0.05). More the nail diameter/medullary canal diameter ratio over than 0.4 more sufficent results; short union time, less lower extremity lenght discrepancy, less mallaligment were recorded (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to our experience and opinion, elastic intramedullary nailing is the best of choice for diaphyseal fractures in children with skeletal immaturity, especially for the long bones.