Abstract

CARVALHO FILHO, Guaracy et al. External fixation in femur fractures in children. Acta ortop. bras. [online]. 2005, vol.13, n.1, pp. 35-37. ISSN 1413-7852.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-78522005000100009.

The effects of external fixation in femoral fractures in children were investigated in a prospective study. Twenty-four children with twenty-six femur fractures (23 closed fractures and three open fractures) were treated with external fixation from 1997 to 2000. Mean age was eight years and eight months ( ranging from six to 13 years). All fractures were followed up for up to six months after consolidation, which was observed in 100% of the cases when the external fixator was removed after a mean time of 87 days ( ranging from 63 to 135 days). Infection through the screw hole was frequent, but none of the patients had osteomyelitis. The major complication was refracture (17%), which required a new procedure with external fixator.

Keywords : External fixators; Femoral fractures; Children.