Nancy Nail Fixation for Femur Shaft Fracture in Children

Hong, Ki Do; Ha, Sung Sik; Chung, Nam Sik; Sim, Jae Cheon; Kim, Jae Young

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate, the radiologically, the duration of bone union, angular formation, leg length discrepancy, other complications and mean hospital stay after Nancy nail fixation has been performed in children with femoral shaft fracture, and also to inquire into the clinical validity of such procedure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Included in this study were 12 patients who had been treated with the Nancy nail fixation for the femoral shaft fracture and then followed up for a year or more. The age distribution ranged from 4 to 12 years with mean age 7.2 years. After the fracture was reduced under an imaging intensifier, 2 or 3 Nancy nails were pinned onto the medial and lateral femur distally.
RESULTS
The average duration for complete union was 9.9 weeks. Any angular formation over 5 degrees was notfound. Leg length discrepancy ranged from 2 mm shortening to 12 mm overgrowth with a mean value of 2.8 cm. In one case, with overgrowth over 10 mm or more, there was no gait disturbance. In all cases, There was neither infection, delayed union, nor any motion disturbance. A nail was moved distally in one case and skin irritation was evident in another case. The mean hospital stay was 17.3 days.
CONCLUSION
Nancy nail fixation in pediatric femoral shaft fracture relatively has less complications and is a safe surgical procedure. In addition, it helps in reducing hospital stay.