Outcome of Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures Treated with Titanium Elastic Nailing: A Prospective Study.

Introduction: Conservative management has always been used for pediatric fractures. However, surgical management has shown outstanding results. Closed reduction and titanium elastic nailing (TEN) is one of the procedures that is used for the management of pediatric injuries. We undertook this study to see the outcome of pediatric fractures treated with TEN. Materials and Methods: A prospective study conducted at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad. Thirty children with femoral fractures managed with TENs were included in this study. Patients were followed up till 12 months postoperatively for limb length discrepancy, pelvic asymmetries, rotational deformity, axial angulation, and hip and knee range of motion. Scoring criteria for TEN by Flynn et al. [t2.1]was used, and results were classified as excellent, satisfactory, or poor. Results: There were 19 boys and 11 girls in this study. The mean duration of surgery was 50 min. Radiological union was achieved in an average time of 7 weeks. Full weight bearing was achieved in a period of 7 weeks. As per the Flynn et al. criteria, the results were excellent in 24 patients, successful in 5, and poor in 1 patient. One patient had varus angulation, 3 patients had entry site irritation, and 2 had limb length discrepancy. Conclusion: The TENS is an efficient and acceptable form of treatment in selected cases of femoral diaphyseal fractures in children.