Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology 1/2024

13-08-2023 | Forearm Fracture | Original Article

An age-matched comparative study on intramedullary nailing and plate fixation of both-bone diaphyseal forearm fracture in adolescents

Authors: Noriko Ishihara, Katsuhiro Tokutake, Yasuhiko Takegami, Yuta Asami, Hiroaki Kumagai, Hideyuki Ota, Yoshihiko Kimura, Kazuma Ohshima, Shiro Imagama

Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to compare radiological and functional outcomes and complication rates between intramedullary nailing (IMN) and plate fixation for diaphyseal forearm fractures in adolescents via an age-matched analysis.

Methods

Data were collected from medical records at 11 hospitals from 2009 to 2019, and the age-matched study was conducted between IMN and plate fixation. Functional outcomes, radiographic outcomes, and postoperative complication rates were compared.

Results

The IMN group (Group N) and plate fixation group (Group P) each comprised 26 patients after age matching. The mean age after matching was 13.42 years old. Bone maturities at the wrist of the radius and ulna were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.764 and p = 1). At the last follow-up period, functional outcomes using the Price criteria were over 90% in both groups, and the rotational range of motion was comparable to that of the healthy side. Over 70% of cases in Group N were performed by closed reduction, and operation time was half that of Group P. Postoperative neurological symptoms and refractures were more common in Group P than in Group N, although not statistically significantly so.

Conclusions

Treatment outcomes for age-matched adolescent diaphyseal forearm fractures were excellent with IMN, as well as with plate fixation in many cases despite fewer complications, better cosmesis, and shorter operative times with IMN. IMN for diaphyseal forearm fractures is a useful treatment option even in adolescents although the indications for the best procedure to perform should be considered depending on individual patient needs.

Level of evidence IV

Multicenter retrospective study.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Mann DC, Rajmaira S (1990) Distribution of physeal and nonphyseal fractures in 2,650 long-bone fractures in children aged 0–16 years. J Pediatr Orthop 10(6):713–716CrossRefPubMed Mann DC, Rajmaira S (1990) Distribution of physeal and nonphyseal fractures in 2,650 long-bone fractures in children aged 0–16 years. J Pediatr Orthop 10(6):713–716CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Sinikumpu JJ, Lautamo A, Pokka T et al (2012) The increasing incidence of paediatric diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures and their internal fixation during the last decade. Injury 43(3):362–366CrossRefPubMed Sinikumpu JJ, Lautamo A, Pokka T et al (2012) The increasing incidence of paediatric diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures and their internal fixation during the last decade. Injury 43(3):362–366CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok J et al (2007) The epidemiology of fractures in children. Injury 38(8):913–922CrossRefPubMed Rennie L, Court-Brown CM, Mok J et al (2007) The epidemiology of fractures in children. Injury 38(8):913–922CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Truntzer J, Vopat ML, Kane PM et al (2015) Forearm diaphyseal fractures in the adolescent population: treatment and management. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 25(2):201–209CrossRefPubMed Truntzer J, Vopat ML, Kane PM et al (2015) Forearm diaphyseal fractures in the adolescent population: treatment and management. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 25(2):201–209CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Teoh KH, Chee YH, Shortt N et al (2009) An age- and sex-matched comparative study on both-bone diaphyseal paediatric forearm fracture. J Child Orthop 3(5):367–373CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Teoh KH, Chee YH, Shortt N et al (2009) An age- and sex-matched comparative study on both-bone diaphyseal paediatric forearm fracture. J Child Orthop 3(5):367–373CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
go back to reference Flynn JM, Jones KJ, Garner MR et al (2010) Eleven years experience in the operative management of pediatric forearm fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 30(4):313–319CrossRefPubMed Flynn JM, Jones KJ, Garner MR et al (2010) Eleven years experience in the operative management of pediatric forearm fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 30(4):313–319CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Westacott DJ, Jordan RW, Cooke SJ (2012) Functional outcome following intramedullary nailing or plate and screw fixation of paediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures: a systematic review. J Child Orthop 6(1):75–80CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Westacott DJ, Jordan RW, Cooke SJ (2012) Functional outcome following intramedullary nailing or plate and screw fixation of paediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures: a systematic review. J Child Orthop 6(1):75–80CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Baldwin K, Morrison MJ 3rd, Tomlinson LA et al (2014) Both bone forearm fractures in children and adolescents, which fixation strategy is superior—plates or nails? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Orthop Trauma 28(1):e8–e14CrossRefPubMed Baldwin K, Morrison MJ 3rd, Tomlinson LA et al (2014) Both bone forearm fractures in children and adolescents, which fixation strategy is superior—plates or nails? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Orthop Trauma 28(1):e8–e14CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Patel A, Li L, Anand A (2014) Systematic review: functional outcomes and complications of intramedullary nailing versus plate fixation for both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. Injury 45(8):1135–1143CrossRefPubMed Patel A, Li L, Anand A (2014) Systematic review: functional outcomes and complications of intramedullary nailing versus plate fixation for both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. Injury 45(8):1135–1143CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Abraham A, Kumar S, Chaudhry S et al (2011) Surgical interventions for diaphyseal fractures of the radius and ulna in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 11:7907 Abraham A, Kumar S, Chaudhry S et al (2011) Surgical interventions for diaphyseal fractures of the radius and ulna in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 11:7907
11.
go back to reference Slongo T, Audigé L, Schlickewei W et al (2006) Development and validation of the AO pediatric comprehensive classification of long bone fractures by the Pediatric Expert Group of the AO Foundation in collaboration with AO Clinical Investigation and Documentation and the International Association for Pediatric Traumatology. J Pediatr Orthop 26(1):43–49CrossRefPubMed Slongo T, Audigé L, Schlickewei W et al (2006) Development and validation of the AO pediatric comprehensive classification of long bone fractures by the Pediatric Expert Group of the AO Foundation in collaboration with AO Clinical Investigation and Documentation and the International Association for Pediatric Traumatology. J Pediatr Orthop 26(1):43–49CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Price CT, Scott DS, Kurzner ME et al (1990) Malunited forearm fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop 10(6):705–712CrossRefPubMed Price CT, Scott DS, Kurzner ME et al (1990) Malunited forearm fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop 10(6):705–712CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Hadizie D, Munajat I (2017) Both-bone forearm fractures in children with minimum four years of growth remaining: can cast achieve a good outcome at skeletal maturity? Malays Orthop J 11(3):1–9CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Hadizie D, Munajat I (2017) Both-bone forearm fractures in children with minimum four years of growth remaining: can cast achieve a good outcome at skeletal maturity? Malays Orthop J 11(3):1–9CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Mitsunori M, Nobutake M, Toshiaki T (1997) Tanner-Whitehouse 2 skeletal age. In: The Manual and Atlas of Bone Maturity. HBI, Tokyo Mitsunori M, Nobutake M, Toshiaki T (1997) Tanner-Whitehouse 2 skeletal age. In: The Manual and Atlas of Bone Maturity. HBI, Tokyo
15.
go back to reference Kooistra BW, Dijkman BG, Busse JW et al (2010) The radiographic union scale in tibial fractures: reliability and validity. J Orthop Trauma 24(Suppl 1):S81–S86CrossRefPubMed Kooistra BW, Dijkman BG, Busse JW et al (2010) The radiographic union scale in tibial fractures: reliability and validity. J Orthop Trauma 24(Suppl 1):S81–S86CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Whelan DB, Bhandari M, Stephen D et al (2010) Development of the radiographic union score for tibial fractures for the assessment of tibial fracture healing after intramedullary fixation. J Trauma 68(3):629–632PubMed Whelan DB, Bhandari M, Stephen D et al (2010) Development of the radiographic union score for tibial fractures for the assessment of tibial fracture healing after intramedullary fixation. J Trauma 68(3):629–632PubMed
17.
go back to reference Kizkapan TB, Misir A, Oguzkaya S et al (2021) Reliability of radiographic union scale in tibial fractures and modified radiographic union scale in tibial fractures scores in the evaluation of pediatric forearm fracture union. Jt Dis Relat Surg 32(1):185–191PubMedPubMedCentral Kizkapan TB, Misir A, Oguzkaya S et al (2021) Reliability of radiographic union scale in tibial fractures and modified radiographic union scale in tibial fractures scores in the evaluation of pediatric forearm fracture union. Jt Dis Relat Surg 32(1):185–191PubMedPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Poutoglidou F, Metaxiotis D, Kazas C et al (2020) Flexible intramedullary nailing in the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents, a systematic review. J Orthop 20:125–130CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Poutoglidou F, Metaxiotis D, Kazas C et al (2020) Flexible intramedullary nailing in the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents, a systematic review. J Orthop 20:125–130CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
19.
go back to reference Asadollahi S, Pourali M, Heidari K (2017) Predictive factors for re-displacement in diaphyseal forearm fractures in children-role of radiographic indices. Acta Orthop 88(1):101–108CrossRefPubMed Asadollahi S, Pourali M, Heidari K (2017) Predictive factors for re-displacement in diaphyseal forearm fractures in children-role of radiographic indices. Acta Orthop 88(1):101–108CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Kose O, Deniz G, Yanik S et al (2008) Open intramedullary Kirschner wire versus screw and plate fixation for unstable forearm fractures in children. J Orthop Surg 16(2):165–169CrossRef Kose O, Deniz G, Yanik S et al (2008) Open intramedullary Kirschner wire versus screw and plate fixation for unstable forearm fractures in children. J Orthop Surg 16(2):165–169CrossRef
21.
go back to reference Reinhardt KR, Feldman DS, Green DW et al (2008) Comparison of intramedullary nailing to plating for both-bone forearm fractures in older children. J Pediatr Orthop 28(4):403–409CrossRefPubMed Reinhardt KR, Feldman DS, Green DW et al (2008) Comparison of intramedullary nailing to plating for both-bone forearm fractures in older children. J Pediatr Orthop 28(4):403–409CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Ridley TJ, Freking W, Erickson LO et al (2017) Incidence of treatment for infection of buried versus exposed Kirschner wires in phalangeal, metacarpal, and distal radial fractures. J Hand Surg Am 42(7):525–531CrossRefPubMed Ridley TJ, Freking W, Erickson LO et al (2017) Incidence of treatment for infection of buried versus exposed Kirschner wires in phalangeal, metacarpal, and distal radial fractures. J Hand Surg Am 42(7):525–531CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Raghavan R, Jones A, Dwyer AJ (2019) Should Kirschner wires for fixation of lateral humeral condyle fractures in children be buried or left exposed? A systematic review. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 105(4):739–745CrossRefPubMed Raghavan R, Jones A, Dwyer AJ (2019) Should Kirschner wires for fixation of lateral humeral condyle fractures in children be buried or left exposed? A systematic review. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 105(4):739–745CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Ohshima K, Tokutake K, Takegami Y et al (2023) Longer time of implantation using the buried pin technique for intramedullary nailing would decrease refracture in the diaphyseal forearm fracture in children-retrospective multicenter (TRON) study. Injury 54(3):924–929CrossRefPubMed Ohshima K, Tokutake K, Takegami Y et al (2023) Longer time of implantation using the buried pin technique for intramedullary nailing would decrease refracture in the diaphyseal forearm fracture in children-retrospective multicenter (TRON) study. Injury 54(3):924–929CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Furdock RJ, Huang LF, Sanders JO et al (2022) Systematic isolation of key parameters for estimating skeletal maturity on anteroposterior wrist radiographs. J Bone Jt Surg Am 104(6):530–536CrossRef Furdock RJ, Huang LF, Sanders JO et al (2022) Systematic isolation of key parameters for estimating skeletal maturity on anteroposterior wrist radiographs. J Bone Jt Surg Am 104(6):530–536CrossRef
Metadata
Title
An age-matched comparative study on intramedullary nailing and plate fixation of both-bone diaphyseal forearm fracture in adolescents
Authors
Noriko Ishihara
Katsuhiro Tokutake
Yasuhiko Takegami
Yuta Asami
Hiroaki Kumagai
Hideyuki Ota
Yoshihiko Kimura
Kazuma Ohshima
Shiro Imagama
Publication date
13-08-2023
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1633-8065
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1068
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-023-03679-8

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology 1/2024 Go to the issue