"Failure" of forearm intramedullary elastic nails

Conservative Management of a Forearm Refracture With the Titanium Elastic Nailing System (TENS) In Situ in a 14-Year-Old Male: A Case Report

This case report presents a 14-year-old male patient with a medical history of left nephrectomy for cystic nephroma and resolved hypertension, who sustained a right both-bone middle shaft forearm fracture while playing football. The injury was managed initially with manipulation under anesthesia, the insertion of the Titanium Elastic Nailing System (TENS), and the application of an above-elbow cast. Clinical and radiographic reviews confirmed fracture healing after seven weeks, allowing for cast removal and advising the patient to avoid contact sports. However, 10 weeks post-initial treatment, the patient experienced a refracture following another traumatic incident. The refracture was treated conservatively with a combination of above-elbow and below-elbow casts over six weeks. Regular follow-ups every two weeks indicated satisfactory progress, leading to the removal of the TENS approximately four and a half months post-refracture. Subsequent clinical and radiographic evaluations showed complete fracture healing, with the patient regaining a full range of motion and intact neurovascular status at the final follow-up. This case highlights the potential for successful conservative management of pediatric forearm refractures with intramedullary nails in situ.

To Bury or Not to Bury the K-wires After Fixation of Both Bone Forearm Fractures in Patients Younger Than 11 Years Old: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

The primary objective was to compare the re-fracture incidence of both radius and ulna fracture in 2 groups treated using intramedullary Kirschner wires (K-wires) where the wires were exposed in group I and buried in group II. The secondary objective was to compare the final functional outcomes and complications incidence.

METHODS

Between March 2019 and February 2021, 60 pediatric patients with unstable radius and ulna fractures amenable to surgical intervention using intramedullary K-wires were randomized into group I (K-wires were exposed above the skin by 2 cm) or group II (K-wires were buried under the skin). In group I, K-wires were removed in the outpatient clinic, while in group II, they were removed under general anesthesia as a day-case procedure. Functional outcome per Price criteria was reported at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Included patients had a mean age of 7.6 years (range: 5 to 10 y). The mean operative time was significantly higher in group II (32.33±7.51 vs. 36.77±8.70 min, P =0.03), with no difference regarding intraoperative x-ray exposure (43.12±15.52 vs. 41.6±11.96 s, P =0.67). Fracture union was achieved after a mean of 44±2.6 days in group I and 43±1.87 days in group II, with no difference between both groups ( P =0.34). One patient had re-fracture in group I and no patients in group II; however, the difference was insignificant ( P =0.12). Infection occurred in 2 patients in each group. All patients reported excellent scores per Price criteria and achieved full wrist and elbow range of motion compared with the contralateral noninjured side.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposed implants are a safe option when dealing with forearm fractures in patients younger than 11 years old, with the added advantage of fewer hospital admissions. Furthermore, it had a similar complication rate and functional outcomes compared with buried implants.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03906929.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Re-fractures of the paediatric radius and/or ulna: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Fractures of the radius and/or ulna are one of the most common injuries in children. Evidence identifying risk factors for refracture, however, has not been summarised in a systematic review. Guidance for counselling patients and parents to minimise the risk of refracture is limited. The aims of this study are to 1) to determine if casting time 6 weeks or less is a risk factor for refracture after paediatric radius and/or ulna fractures, 2) to identify other risk factors for refracture after paediatric radius and/or ulna fractures and 3) to develop more accurate guidelines for counselling parents after a radius and/or ulna fracture in their child.

METHODS

A thorough search was performed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for systematic review. JBI Critical Appraisal checklists were used for risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

Diaphyseal both-bone fractures treated non-surgically should be casted for longer than 6 weeks. Surgically treated patients can be casted for less than 6 weeks. Diaphyseal and greenstick fractures have a higher risk of refracture. Residual angulation and incomplete healing in greenstick fractures may lead to a higher risk of refracture. Gender does not affect refracture risk. Falls, use of wheeled vehicles, playground activities and trampolining confer high-risk of refracture. Refracture risk is greatest up to 9 months from initial fracture.

CONCLUSION

Further case-controlled studies with sub-group analysis are required to further investigate risk factors for refracture after radius and/or ulna fractures in children.

Pediatric Forearm Refracture with Intramedullary Nail Bending In Situ: Options for Treatment

In this study, we present the case of a nine-year-old male patient who had initially presented to the emergency department with a right both-bone forearm fracture. He was treated with closed reduction and long-arm casting. The cast was applied for six weeks and then replaced with a short-arm cast for two weeks. The patient returned with a both-bone forearm refracture one and a half months after the removal of the cast. Surgical treatment was initiated and an intramedullary nail fixation was applied. The patient sustained a new trauma five months postoperatively. The condition was diagnosed to be a refracture of the both-bone forearm with an intramedullary nail in situ. Closed reduction was performed, but an acceptable level of reduction was not achieved. Subsequently, intramedullary nails were replaced with new nails. At the one year follow-up, the patient was observed to have a full range of motion and reported no pain or muscle weakness.

Flexible intramedullary nailing in the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents, a systematic review

Background

Forearm fractures are common injuries among children and adolescents. Traditionally, they were managed conservatively with closed reduction and cast immobilization. The last decade there is an increasing trend towards operative treatment. The treatment modalities available include plate and screws, flexible intramedullary nailing and external fixation devices - rarely used nowadays. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the indications of flexible intramedullary nailing in the childhood population, to compare its results with plating and to provide detailed information considering technical pitfalls and complications that may be encountered.

Materials and methods

An extensive search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE) from their inception up to June 2019 in order articles relevant to this review to be retrieved. The search terms used were the following: forearm fracture, both-bone fracture, pediatric, nailing, fixation. 56 articles were considered suitable for inclusion.

Results

The indications for surgery are unstable and irreducible fractures, open and fractures with neurovascular compromise. As far as the fracture site is concerned, radius and ulna shaft fractures, radial head and Monteggia fractures are suitable for nailing.Although plates and nailing have comparable clinical outcomes and complication rates, flexible intramedullary nailing has the advantage of smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, shorter operative and hospital times and an ease in hardware removal.Controversy exists over the need of single or double nailing in both-bone fractures of the forearm. In addition, there is no consensus as to which is the preferred nail diameter. Yet, all the authors agree that open reduction must be considered after certain failed closed reductions in order compartment syndrome to be avoided.Flexible intramedullary nailing is not complication-free. Skin irritation, Extensor Pollicis Longus rupture, superficial radial nerve injury, delayed union or even nonunion, malunion and refractures are some of the complications that may be encountered.

Discussion

Flexible nails are excellent implants combining stability and elasticity. The procedure of passing the nails across radius and ulna is relatively simple, requiring a small learning curve. Flexible intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment modality for the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents.

Intramedullary nailing of forearm shaft fractures by biodegradable compared with titanium nails: Results of a prospective randomized trial in children with at least two years of follow-up

There are disadvantages in Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN) of forearm-shaft fractures, such as the need of implant removal. Biodegradable Intramedullary Nailing (BIN) is a new technique developed for these fractures. We hypothesized that there is no difference in rotational ROM between the patients treated by BIN vs. ESIN. A randomized, controlled clinical trial included patients, aged 5-15 years, requiring surgery for forearm-shaft fractures. Biodegradable polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nails (Activa IM-Nail™, Bioretec Ltd., Finland) were used in 19 and titanium nails (TEN^®, SynthesDePuy Ltd., USA) in 16 patients. Rotational ROM of forearm after two years was the primary outcome. Elbow and wrist ROM, pain and radiographic bone healing were secondary outcomes. Forearm rotation was mean 162° and 151° in BIN and ESIN groups, respectively (P = 0.201). No difference between the groups was found in any other ROMs. Three cases in the ESIN vs. none in the BIN group reported pain (P = 0.113). There was no clinically significant residual angulation in radiographs. Two adolescents in the BIN group vs. none in the ESIN (P = 0.245) were excluded because of implant failure; another two with complete bone union suffered from re-injury. Therefore, satisfactory implant stability among older children needs to be studied.

Low complication rate of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) of pediatric forearm fractures: A retrospective study of 202 cases

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) has been established as state of the art treatment for forearm fractures in children, if operative stabilization is required. Their use has been expanded to single bone shaft fractures, and also more complex injuries such as Monteggia fractures or Monteggia-like lesions. A wide range of complications has been reported in the literature, up to 70% in certain investigations. The purpose of this study was to assess the complication rate after ESIN treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents in a representative cohort of patients from a level 1 trauma center in Germany.Between 2000 and 2015, we retrospectively analyzed all patients, up to the age of 16 years, with forearm fractures, who were operatively treated using ESIN in our department of general and trauma surgery. The main outcome measurements were the rates of postoperative complications after ESIN such as re-fracture, malunion, nonunion, tendon lesion, wound infection, and limited range of motion.In all, 201 consecutive patients with 202 forearm fractures were included in this study. Age averaged 9.7 years (range 3-16 years). Fifteen (7.4%) fractures were open. Fractures were 82.2% diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures. Follow-up averaged 10.2 months (range 0.7-176.3 months). Complications were 10 re-fractures, 2 malunions, 3 extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures, 1 superficial wound infection, and 2 limited range of motions. Fourteen (6.9%) children required a secondary operative intervention for their complication. Time to implant removal averaged 3.8 months (range 0.4-16.3 months).Elastic stable intramedullary nailing is a minimally invasive and reliable technique with a low complication rate. Both-bone forearm fractures and single bone fractures, and also Monteggia and Monteggia-equivalent fractures can be successfully treated with this method. As a major complication, re-fractures are frequently seen, even with ESIN in situ.

Pediatric forearm fractures with in situ intramedullary implants

PURPOSE

The purpose of this investigation is to present our institutional experience with fractures of the pediatric forearm with in situ intramedullary nails.

METHODS

Six patients treated at our institution for forearm fracture with in situ intramedullary implants between 2004 and 2013 were reviewed. Patient demographics, injury and radiographic characteristics, method of treatment, time to union, and complications were collected from the medical record.

RESULTS

485 patients with forearm fractures were treated with intramedullary implants and six patients presented with a fracture with in situ implants (1.2 %). Fractures in all six patients resulted from a second traumatic event after radiographic healing but before implant removal at a mean of 13.0 months from the initial procedure. One patient had an adequately aligned fracture and was treated with casting without reduction. The remaining five patients (83 %) returned to the operating room for treatment. Two patients underwent rod removal and placement of new intramedullary implants, and two patients were treated with rod removal and plating without attempt at closed reduction. One patient underwent closed reduction in the operating room with successful re-bending of the radial implant and replacement of the ulna implant. All patients went on to uncomplicated radiographic union at a mean 3.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of fracture of pediatric forearm with in situ intramedullary implants is low. This rare complication can be treated by several different methods, including revision TENS placement, revision to plate fixation, or in situ bending of rods, with the expectation for successful uncomplicated union.

Refractures of the paediatric forearm with the intramedullary nail in situ

Forearm fractures in children are common. When conservative treatment fails, internal fixation with Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN) become the first choice in the operative treatment of diaphyseal forearm shaft fractures. Refractures with the intramedullary nail in situ are known to occur but formal guidelines to guide management in such fractures are lacking. We present a well-documented case of a radius midshaft refracture in a 12-year-old boy with the intramedullary nail in situ, managed by closed reduction. Literature is reviewed for this type of complication, the treatment of 30 similar cases is discussed and a treatment strategy is defined. The refracture of the paediatric forearm fracture with the intramedullary nail in situ is a rare, but probably under recognised complication which is observed in approximately 2.3% of the study population. Closed reduction may be considered in these cases.

A new mini-invasive technique in treating pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures by bioabsorbable elastic stable intramedullary nailing: a preliminary technical report

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Operative treatment is often indicated in unstable pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures. Recently minimally invasive reduction and elastic stable intramedullary nailing have been of increasing interest, instead of open reduction and internal fixation with plates. There are several disadvantages of metallic intramedullary implants, such as soft-tissue irritation and a risk of disturbing later imaging. Thus, they are generally removed in later operations. We aimed to develop a new technique to stabilize pediatric forearm fractures by the bioabsorbable intramedullary nailing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We developed a new, two-stage mini-invasive surgical technique to stabilize the unstable diaphyseal fractures in children. The procedure is bioabsorbable elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Ultra-high-strength bioabsorbable intramedullary nails of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) were manufactured for our purpose. The material has been widely proven to be biocompatible and stable enough for fracture treatment as screws and pins. We have used the new technique in the unstable both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. We report the technique and our clinical experience in the series of those three cases that have been followed up for at least 12 months. The present series has been randomized for the procedure instead for titanium elastic stable intramedullary nailing, and the series represents a part of ongoing randomized trial.

RESULTS

The reported cases operated by the new technique referred good union in the fractured bones and acceptable alignment in the follow-up. Removal of the implants was not required. No troubles with the procedure or implant per se were noticed, indicating good feasibility. One high-energy refracture occurred half year after the primary trauma. Traditional titanium implants were used to control the refracture.

CONCLUSIONS

We report our preliminary experience of a new surgical mini-invasive procedure to stabilize the unstable pediatric forearm shaft fractures by bioabsorbable elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Our clinical experience suggests that the procedure combined with long-arm casting is feasible in treating the pediatric forearm fractures. The technique may bring benefits to handling these challenging fractures. The disadvantages of metallic implants may be avoided. In addition, removal of the implant will not be required. There was one refracture in the series, but it was due to new high-energy trauma. According to our understanding, it was not related to the type of former osteosynthesis. However, ignoring the good preliminary experience, still we do not have results of the superiority of the procedure over traditional elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Our ongoing randomized multicenter study is aimed to determine its long-term outcome against the present golden standard. Nevertheless, due to encouraging preliminary results, we see it necessary to report the technique.

Early complications with flexible intramedullary nailing in childhood fracture: 100 cases managed with precurved tip and shaft nails

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures in children are frequently treated with the flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN) method. The aim of this study was to record postoperative complications and outcome in consecutive fracture patients treated with the new precurved tip and shaft nails and dedicated ergonomic instrumentation.

METHODS

We report the analysis of 100 consecutive fractures followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Ninety-seven children were included, comprising 77 shaft and 23 metaphyseal fractures. Demographic data, duration of surgery, nail and medullary canal diameter, date of nail removal, clinical assessment, follow-up radiographs and all complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Mean age was 9.7 years, and mean body weight 35.1 kg. Twenty-one fractures had associated lesions. Mean duration of surgery was 42.4 minutes. Nail removal was at a mean 6.1 months. Twelve percent of patients had complications, with six insufficient reductions, one delayed union, one non-union, one iterative fracture, and three skin impingements. Unexpected surgical revision was required in seven cases. At follow-up, only one patient showed functional impairment, with 20° pronation loss, and three showed more than 10° axial deviation on X-ray.

CONCLUSION

The low rate of skin impingement compared with the literature may be due to the new dedicated instruments. We believe that other complications can be avoided if one follows the FIN principles, avoiding weak assembly due to an insufficient nail/medullary canal diameter ratio, which is a limiting factor for indications in adolescents. The surgeons reported that precurved shaft nails facilitated the FIN procedure, although this subjective judgment may be due simply to the novelty of the nails.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV. Retrospective study.

Closed reduction of radius refracture: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Refractures of the radius and ulna in the paediatric patient with flexible intramedullary nails in situ are known to occur. There are no formal guidelines currently in the literature to guide the management of such fractures.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 10-year-old Caucasian girl, sustained a closed refracture of the radius at the same level, with the flexible intramedullary nails in situ to treat her recent ulna and radius fractures.

DISCUSSION

We proposed a new non-invasive way of reducing and maintaining such fractures without removal of the bent nail completely.

CONCLUSION

This method does not significantly reduce the mechanical strength of the nail, as we do not advocate applying an external lateral force, which would compromise nail mechanical strength and eventually lead to breakage of the nail in situ.

Failures and complications in intramedullary nailing of children's forearm fractures

PURPOSE

There are published studies of outcomes in the use of ESIN that raise concerns about serious complications: the aim of this study is to report our experiences over 17 years of use of this technique, which shows that complications and failures are insignificant when the method is applied correctly.

METHOD

We present a retrospective analysis of 553 children with forearm shaft fractures treated with elastic stable intramedullary nailing over a period of 17 years. The 354 boys (64%) and 199 girls (36%) had an average age of 9.1 years. A total of 61% of the fractures were located in the midshaft, 21% in the distal diaphyseal and 18% in the proximal third. Continuous documentation of treatment, postoperative course and follow-up after an average time of 37 months formed the basis of this study. The analysis included all kinds of failures and complications.

RESULTS

The following complications and problems were encountered: 5 children with wound infections and disturbed wound healing, 1 case of osteomyelitis, 7 children with ulnar non-unions, 14 children with delayed unions, 6 cases of loss of correction, 15 children with lesions of the superficial radial nerve, one case of malplacement of a nail, 5 children with skin perforations caused by the ends of implants and 27 children with refractures.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of the failures and complications shows that a differentiated approach to the data has to be taken. Most complications occur because of incorrect use of the method with neglect of biomechanical principles. The usage of the ESIN method is extended to more problematic regions, such as the distal diaphyseal portion of the forearm, and therefore, an increase in complications is likely. Despite this risk, ESIN should still be the standard treatment for forearm shaft fractures in children, and no change in therapeutical strategy is necessary. However, it is of special importance to follow the right indication and to pay attention to biomechanical principles and to correct technical procedure.

Paediatric diaphyseal forearm refractures after greenstick fractures: operative management with ESIN

BACKGROUND

One of the complications of forearm shaft fracture is refracture. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing represents an alternative method for refracture treatment to cast immobilisation for another five to seven weeks. Operative treatment often necessitates an open reduction in most cases due to blocked or narrowed medullary canals. The purpose of this study was to examine the expense of the operative procedure, technique (closed or open intramedullary nailing) and postoperative complications in diaphyseal forearm refractures.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the expense of operative procedure in 21 children with diaphyseal forearm refractures treated with ESIN.

RESULTS

In 18 cases, closed reduction with nailing was possible; three required an open reduction. In nine patients a closed medullary cavity was present; only two of them needed an open reduction. None of the patients had complications (wound healing, osteomyelitis, rupture of the extensor pollicus longus). Swelling appeared in four patients, paraesthesia of the thumb in one. Free functional movement was achieved in all children. Long term results: No re-refracture occurred. One patient suffered from meteorosensitivity. Twelve are able to do the same sporting activities as before injury.

CONCLUSION

ESIN seems to be one choice for treatment in refracture of the forearm, as in most cases the operative reduction can be performed in a closed way by means of "tricks and hints".

Paediatric forearm refractures with retained plates managed with flexible intramedullary nails

During the past 18 months we have managed four paediatric patients who have sustained forearm refractures associated with retained plates that were used to treat their original fracture. Although this complication is not new, most literature regarding paediatric forearm refracture relates to refractures that occur after closed treatment or after removal of metalwork. We treated the patients in this small series with plate removal and intramedullary stabilisation using elastic stable intramedullary nails (Nancy, Depuy, UK) as opposed to revision plating. Treatment of this complication by this method has not previously been described.