J Korean Fract Soc.  2004 Jan;17(1):59-63. 10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.1.59.

Reduction of Pediatric Forearm Diaphyseal Fractures by Pin Leverage Technique

• Han SH
• Cho DY
• Yoon HK
• Kim BS
• Kang SH
• Kim TH

• KMID: 2043954
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2004.17.1.59

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although the majority of children's forearm diaphyseal fractures may be treated conservatively with closed reduction and cast immobilization, unstable or irreducible fractures are usually treated by surgical management. Authors performed percutaneous pin leverage reduction technique for irreducible displaced diaphyseal fractures. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of pin leverage technique in pediatric forearm diaphyseal fractures
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this retrospective study, we reviewed 22 cases of forearm diaphyseal fractures reduced by percutaneous pin leverage technique between 1997 and 2002. We analyzed radiographs, operation time, hospital stay and immobilization period, range of motion, postoperative complications and functional results by Thomas.
RESULTS
Average length of follow up was 28 months with mean age of 10.5 years. All fractures in this series healed less than 2 degrees of diaphyseal angulation. Average operation time including anesthesia was 42 minutes and hospital stay was 4.6 days. Time to union was 49.6 days in average and range of motion and functional results were satisfactory in all cases except one case of congenital radioulnar synostosis. There was one case of superficial pin track infection as complication.
CONCLUSION
In operative treatment of children's diaphyseal fractures of forearm bones, percutaneous pin leverage reduction technique is a good alternative method prior to open reduction in case of difficult closed reduction.

Keyword

Children; Forearm; Both bone fracture; Operative technique; Pin leverage technique

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Child
Follow-Up Studies
Forearm*
Humans
Immobilization
Length of Stay
Postoperative Complications
Range of Motion, Articular
Retrospective Studies
Synostosis