A Prospective Cohort Study of the Therapeutic Patterns, Challenges and Outcomes of Paediatric Femoral Fractures in a Cameroonian Tertiary Center

Clinical and functional outcomes of Paediatric femoral shaft fractures managed non-operatively at Nkhotakota District Hospital, Malawi

Background

Femoral shaft fracture is a common paediatric injury, managed non-operatively with skin traction in Malawian public hospitals. The clinical and functional outcomes of this treatment modality are unknown in Malawi.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all children who were managed at Nkhotakota District Hospital with skin traction after sustaining closed femoral shaft fractures from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016. We collected demographic characteristics and treatment history from the patient's inpatient medical records, then invited each patient to undergo in-person follow-up clinical and functional assessment.

Results

We identified 149 patients. Gallows traction 26 (17%) and 123 Bucks skin traction (83%). The mean age for Gallows traction was 10 months (95% CI: 8-11), most were males (16, 62%). Fall was the most common cause of injury (19, 73%), and mean hospitalization of 15.8 days (95% CI: 13.8-17.9). Eighteen patients (69%) were followed up at a mean of 4.2 years after discharge, all were full weight bearing, had achieved radiographic fracture union, and had no functional limitations or pain during regular activity. Buck's skin traction mean age was 5.2 years (95% CI: 4.7-5.8), most were males (82, 67%), and fall (85, 69%). We followed up 83 patients (67%) at a mean of 4.1 years after hospital discharge, all of whom had achieved radiographic fracture union. All but one patient were full weight bearing and had normal gait. At follow-up, 14 patients (17%) reported some level of pain, 5 patients reported that their injury limited their return to household chores, and 2 reported that their injury also limited their return to school.

Conclusion

Despite the limitations of this study, non-operative management of paediatric femoral shaft fractures at Nkhotakota District Hospital may have good clinical and functional outcomes and minimal complications. A future prospective study may be helpful to confirm these findings.

Practice Patterns for Management of Pediatric Femur Fractures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

BACKGROUND

Femoral shaft fractures in children are common in low and middle income countries. In high-income countries, patient age, fracture pattern, associated injuries, child/family socioeconomic status, and surgeon preference dictate fracture management. There is limited literature on treatment patterns for pediatric femur fractures in resource-limited settings. This study surveys surgeons from low (LIC), lower-middle (LMIC), and upper-middle income (UMIC) countries regarding treatment patterns for pediatric femur fractures.

METHODS

Surgeons completed an electronic survey reporting surgeon demographics and treatment preference for pediatric femur fractures. Treatment preferences and indications for treatment were separated into 4 groups: infant (0 to 6 mo); toddler (7 mo to 4 y); child (5 to 12 y); adolescent (12 to 17 y). The survey was available in English, Spanish, and French. Analysis was completed with t test and χ test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively, and weighted Pearson correlation (P<0.05).

RESULTS

Survey respondents consisted of 413 surgeons from 83 countries (20 LIC, 33 LMIC, 30 UMIC). The majority of respondents were fellowship trained (83%) most commonly in pediatrics (26%) and trauma (43%). Most treated >10 pediatric femur fractures per year (68%). Respondents reported treating infant femur fractures nonoperatively using Pavlik harness (19%), spica cast (60%), or traction with delayed spica cast (14%). Decreasing socioeconomic status was associated with higher nonoperative treatment rate in toddlers, children, and adolescents. Respondents commonly utilize bed rest and traction for child femur fractures in LICs (63%) and LMICs (65%) compared with UMICs (35%) (UMIC vs. LMIC P<0.001; UMIC vs. LIC P<0.001). Surgeries in children more commonly involve open reduction with internal fixation (UMIC 19%, LMIC 33%, LIC 40%; P<0.05 between UMIC-LMIC and UMIC-LIC).

CONCLUSION

This is one of the largest surveys describing treatment patterns for pediatric femur fractures in low and middle income countries. Differences are evident including lower operative treatment rate in younger children and lower intramedullary fixation rates in older children. Future studies should investigate the value of treatment options in resource-limited settings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II-prospective comparative study.

Poor prognostic factors of femoral shaft fractures in children treated by elastic intramedullary nailing

Introduction: Femoral shaft fractures in pediatric patients are treated by elastic intramedullary nailing using titanium or stainless-steel nails. The elastic stable intramedullary nailing behaves as an internal splint, promoting early mobilization. This type of treatment involves a minimally invasive approach, no damage to the growth plates, and no impairment of femoral head blood supply. Purpose: The aim of our study was to identify the negative predicting factors that might lead to an increased complication rate after elastic stable intramedullary nailing of femoral shaft fractures in children. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 137 patients with femoral shaft fractures treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Patients’ age ranged between 4 and 17 years. We used data from the medical records of the patients to evaluate postoperative complications. Plain radiographs were analyzed to determine the fracture type, fracture location, and postoperative complications such as delayed union, angular deformities, and limb length discrepancies. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors for poor outcomes. Results: Complications occurred in 29 patients (21%) and consisted of delayed union, axial deformities, or lower limb length discrepancies. In the group of patients that suffered from complications, mechanism of injury, age, and weight were significant. They were older by an average of 5 years; half of them weighed more than 50 kg and over a half were involved in a road traffic accident. Conclusions: Elastic nailing is a successful tool to treat femoral shaft fractures. Three factors were demonstrated to influence the outcome. The mechanism of injury, age > 11 years, and weight > 50 kg are the most important and are predictors for development of complications such as delayed union or deformity.