ABSTRACT

Objective:

The aim of our study was to investigate safety and effectiveness of titanium elastic nailing (TEN) in paediatric tibia shaft fractures caused by high-energy pedestrian versus motor vehicle accidents.

Material and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review for children with unstable tibial shaft fractures treated with TEN caused by pedestrian versus motor vehicle accidents between June 2010 and December 2012. Eleven patients were included in study. Six patients (54.5%) were boys and five patients (45.5%) were girls. The mean age of the patients was 7.4 years (3-12). Five patients (45.5%) had closed and six patients (54.5%) had open fractures according to Gustilo-Anderson classification. At the follow-ups, patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. Also, we investigated tibial torsion deformity by using MRI in our patients at last follow-up.

Results:

In all patients were obtained complete bone healing radiologically and clinically. In our patients, the average angulation was 1.5 degrees (0-3.9) on the coronal plane and the average angulation was 2.6 degrees (0-8.4) on the sagittal plane at the last follow-up. In four patients (36.4%) were found more than 10 mm the tibial length discrepancy. Also, we encountered more than 10 degrees the external tibial torsion deformity in three patients.

Conclusion:

TEN is a safe and effective treatment options in the high-energy pediatric open or closed tibia shaft fractures caused by pedestrian versus motor vehicle accidents. It should be kept in mind that these fractures also might develop in the tibial torsional deformity.