Objective To investigate the classification and treatment of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 35 cases of Monteggia equivalent fractures between January 2008 and January 2012. There were 17 boys and 18 girls with an average age of 7 years and 5 months (range, 1 year and 2 months to 14 years and 11 months). The causes of injury were tumbling injury in 25 cases, falling injury in 3 cases, and sport injury in 7 cases. The disease duration from injuries to admission ranged from 1 hour to 16 days (median, 28 hours). According to the criteria of self-made classification, there were 22 cases of type I (ulnar fracture with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 2 cases of type II (posterior elbow dislocation with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 10 cases of type III (ulnar fracture and/or olecranon fracture with humeral lateral condylar fracture), and 1 case of type IV (fractures of radius and ulna with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury). All patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation/external fixation. Results All incisions healed by first intention without infection. Thirty-four cases were followed up 14 months on average (range, 12-18 months). All fractures healed at 2.5 months on average (range, 6 weeks to 5 months). According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score system, the results were excellent in 29 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 94%. No cubit varus/valgus or delayed ulnar nerve injury was observed. Conclusion New self-made classification is simple and easy to remember, and it is helpful to reduce omission diagnose rate and select therapeutic methods. Surgery is an effective method to treat Monteggia equivalent fractures.
Objective To discuss the treatment method and effectiveness of Seymour fracture in children and adolescents. Methods Between January 2013 and November 2015, 26 children and adolescents with Seymour fractures were treated. There were 18 males and 8 females, aged from 1 year and 1 month to 17 years (median, 8.2 years). The injury causes included crush in 14 cases, bruise in 10 cases, and puncture in 2 cases. The thumb was involved in 2 cases, index finger in 1 case, middle finger in 12 cases, ring finger in 6 cases, and little finger in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation was 1-15 hours (mean, 3.2 hours). The patients underwent debridement, nail removal, nail matrix repair, closed reduction and osteosynthesis with Kirschner wires, and splinting in emergency. Kirschner wires and splints were removed at 4 weeks after surgery, and functional exercises were done. Results All wounds healed by first intention without infection. The follow-up duration was 2-24 months (mean, 12.3 months). The fracture healing was obtained at 1-2 months (mean, 1.4 months) on X-ray film, and no complications of nonunion, malunion, re-displacement, premature epiphyseal closure, or no growth of the nails occurred. Nail deformity developed in 1 case and no re-operation was given. At last follow-up, 1 patient had 10° extension limitation of the distal interphalangeal joint, but the flexion was normal. The motion range of distal interphalangeal joint was 0-75°, showing no significant difference when compared with that of contralateral side (0-78°). Conclusion The effectiveness for treating Seymour fracture is satisfactory by debridement, nail removal, nail matrix repair, closed reduction and osteosynthesis with Kirschner wires, and splinting in emergency.