Objective To exploere the effectiveness and advantages of elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) combined with curettage and graft for the treatment of benign lesions of humerus complicating by pathological fracture in children. Methods ESIN internal fixation combined with curettage and graft was used to treat benign lesions of the humerus complicating by pathological fracture in 11 children patients between January 2007 and January 2011. Of 11 patients, 7 were boy and 4 were girl, aged from 5 to 14 years (mean, 9.4 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 14 days (mean, 6 days). All fractures were closed fracture, which locations were the proximal humerus in 6 cases, the humeral shaft in 4 cases, and the distal humerus in 1 case; benign lesions of the humerus included aneurysmal bone cyst in 1 case, simple bone cyst in 7 cases, and fibrous dysplasia in 3 cases. Based on imaging studies, preoperative diagnosis was almost clear. The time from hospitalization to operation was 3-5 days Results Healing of incision by first intention was obtained in all cases, with no infection. The mean follow-up was 25.6 months (range, 12-36 months). All patients achieved pain relief at 6 weeks postoperatively and fractures healed completely at 3 to 4 months after operation (mean, 3.3 months). No recurrence or re-fracture was observed during follow-up. The ESIN was removed at 10-14 months after operation (mean, 12.5 months). The lesion disappeared completely in 8 cases and partially in 3 cases. No pain of affected limb or motion limitation of shoulder and elbows was observed. One patient had limb shortening of 2 cm at last follow-up, but he had no function problem. According to Neer shoulder and Mayo elbow function scores, the results were excellent in 11 cases. Conclusion It is a good method to treat benign lesions of the humerus complicating by pathological fracture in children to use ESIN internal fixation combined with curettage and graft. After only a single operation intervention, it can provide early mechanical stability and rapid fracture healing and allow early rehabilitation exercise.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of titanium elastic nail (TEN) and locking compression plate fixation in treating femoral subtrochanteric fracture in older children. Methods 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 Flynnet al. outcome score. Results 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). Conclusion 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.