Treatment and Management of Complications in Pediatric Forearm Fractures

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS Forearm diaphyseal fractures are common in children. While closed reduction and casting are sufficient in most patients, surgical treatment is required in some cases. The aim of this study is to determine the possible causes of complications occurring in patients with intramedullary fixation with nail (IMN), as well as to evaluate the management of complications and their final results. MATERIAL and METHODS Between January 2017 and January 2020, 53 children under the age of 16 who had forearm fractures and surgically treated with IMN were included in the study. Demographic data of the patients, type of surgery, surgical technique, postoperative care, complications, and treatment modalities of complications were evaluated. RESULTS The mean age of 53 patients (41 boys and 12 girls) included in this study was 10.5 +/- 2.4 years. The average follow-up period of all our patients was 23.4 months (12-34 months). Complications in our study were seen in 14 (26.4%) patients. These complications included pintrack infection in six (11.3%), refracture in four (7.5%), injury of superficial branch of radial nerve in Iwo (3.7%), extensor pollicis bogus rupture in one (1.8%), and pin migration in one (1.8%) patient. CONCLUSION As a result of the treatment and management of these complications, mild hypesthesia persisted along the superficial branch of the radial nerve in only one case, and all other complications were fully recovered. Successful management of complications can be achieved with close follow-up and appropriate treatment.