Assessment Of Outcome Of Submuscular Plating In Paediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures

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Dr. Ravindra B Gunaki , Dr. Sandeep Patil , Dr. Paresh Patil

Abstract

Background: Femoral shaft fractures constitute only 1.6% of all paediatric fractures but at the same time they are the most common fractures which require hospitalization in children. The present study was conducted to assess outcome of submuscular plating in paediatric femoral shaft fractures.


Materials & Methods: 56 paediatric femoral shaft fractures patients of both genders were selected and fracture characteristics, intra-operative and post-operative findings, radiological findings, intraoperative or post complication was recorded. Preoperative anteroposterior and lateral view x ray of femur were taken to see the type of fracture.


Results: Out of 56 patients, males were 30 and females were 26. The mean duration of hospital stays was 10.2 days, fluoroscopy time per surgery was 65.2 minutes, average time of callous formation was 3.2 in weeks and average time of fracture union was 8.1 weeks. Mechanism of injury was RTA in 32, fall in 20 and others in 4. Fracture pattern was oblique in 10, spiral in 14, transverse in 8 and comminuted in 24. Fracture site was proximal 1/3 in 12, middle 1/3 in 30 and distal 1/3 in 14. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Common complications reported were delayed union      in 2, non-union in 3, refracture in 1 and superficial infection in 2 patients. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05).


Conclusion: Sub-muscular plating is a surgical method with learning curve and is a very effective method of fixation for paediatric femur fractures.

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