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 investigate the operative procedure and the effectiveness of eosinophil ic granuloma (EG) of long bones in children. Methods Between January 2005 and December 2009, 14 patients with EG of long bones were treated. There were 9 boys and 5 girls, aged from 1 to 13 years (mean, 6.5 years). The locations were femur in 5 cases, humerus in 4 cases, tibia in 2 cases, fibula in 1 case, and femur compl icated with tibia in 2 cases. The disease duration was7 days to 10 months (median, 2 months). X-ray films showed that osteolytic destruction had clear boundary, which did notinvolve the epi physeal plate. Of 14 cases, 12 cases of tumor were treated by curettage, autologous il iac bone or combined artificial bone graft repair, and 2 cases were treated by resection, autologous il iac reconstruction, plate and screw fixation. Five cases compl icated with pathological fracture underwent reduction and fixation. Results All cases were diagnosed pathologically as having EG. All incisions healed by first intention. A total of 12 patients were followed up 1 to 4 years (mean, 2 years). The X-ray films showed tumor focus and pathological fracture healed within 3 to 4 months (mean, 3.5 months). Tibial lesion was found in 1 case of femoral tumor after 8 months, and was curred after reoperation. No recurrence occurred in other 11 cases. According to comprehensive assessing standard of X-ray film and joint function, the results of all cases were excellent. Conclusion EG of long bones in children is more common in the femur and humerus. Tumor curettage and autologous il iac bone graft repair is an effective method, and postoperative prognosis is good. There may be multiple lesions, so long-term follow-up is needed.
Objective To investigate the effect of limb salvage on treating osteosarcoma with pathological fracture. Methods From October 2002 to January 2003, 2 cases of osteosarcoma with pathological fracture were treated by limb salvage. Intraarterial chemotherapy was given by subcutaneous implantable delivery system with caffeine. Replacement with prosthesis was performed after 5 times of chemotherapy. Results Two patients were followed up for twenty-four months and 21 months respectively. No infection, aseptic loosening, local recurrence or metastasis occurred, and function recovery of joints was satisfactory. Conclusion Limb salvage can be considered in condition that primary osteosarcoma with pathological fracture can be treated by effective and comprehensive chemotherapy.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of locking compression plate and elastic intramedullary nail for the treatment of benign long bone pathological fractures in children, so as to provide the evidence for clinical treatment. MethodsSeventy-two children with long bone pathological fractures who accorded with the inclusion criteria between January 2005 and July 2013 were randomly divided into 2 groups. Fracture was fixed with elastic intramedullary nail in 33 cases (group A) and with locking compression plate in 39 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in sex, age, body mass index, primary lesion, location of fracture, side of fracture, and interval between injury and operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). ResultsGroup A had shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and less overall costs than group B, showing significant differences (P<0.05). Primary healing of incision was obtained. All the patients were followed up 1-7 years (mean, 3.4 years). Tumor lesions disappeared and the pathological fracture healed after operation by X-ray film observation, and group A had faster fracture healing time than group B (P<0.05). There was no loosening and displacement of internal fixation, bone resorption, and bone defect nonunion in 2 groups. Recurrence was found in 2 cases (6.1%) of group A and 3 cases (7.7%) of group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.074, P=0.580). Re-fracture was found in 1 patient with tibial bone cyst of group B after 3 months of operation, and healed after 1 year of open reduction and internal fixation. According to X-ray film and comprehensive function evaluation of shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle, the results were all excellent in 2 groups at last follow-up. ConclusionElastic intramedullary nail fixation should be the first choice, and locking compression plate should be the second choice for children with benign long bone pathological fractures.