Use of flexible nails in children diaphyseal fractures. Five questions and answers

Abstract

Introduction More than 40 years after the launch of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) as a golden standard of the treatment of some fractures in children and adolescents. Material and methods This review is based on answers to five essential questions: The position of ESIN compared with other methods of treatment; The choice of the implants; The indications for ESIN today; How to avoid complications as much as possible? Do we remove the implants or not? Results The aspects of biomechanics, design, indications for ESIN in comparison to other treatment, surgical techniques depending on fractured bones, complications are presented in the article. Conclusion ESIN is an excellent method to fix long bone fractures in children and adolescents. Top one is definitively the fractures of both bones of the forearm, then the diaphyseal fractures of the femur and the tibia before the age to be eligible for a locking nail. However, some unstable fractures cannot be treated conservatively or with a locking nail, and an ESIN remains unstable. In these cases, we are allowed to propose to add an external fixator for 4 to 6 weeks, waiting for a good stabilisation of the fracture.

Keywords

• pediatric fractures
• elastic stable intramedullary nailing
• flexible intramedullary nailing