Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 4/2015

Open Access 01-08-2015 | Original Clinical Article

Risk factors for complications and readmission after operative fixation of pediatric femur fractures

Authors: Amit Momaya, Dustin Baker, Shawn Gilbert, Brent Ponce

Published in: Journal of Children's Orthopaedics | Issue 4/2015

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Operative fixation of pediatric femur fractures with intramedullary implants has grown in popularity in recent decades. However, risk factors for short-term adverse events and readmission have not been well studied.

Methods

Pediatric patients who underwent intramedullary nailing of a femur fracture between 2012 and 2013 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Risk factors for any adverse event (AAE) and readmission after intramedullary nailing were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 522 pediatric patients who underwent intramedullary nailing of the femur during the study period were identified. The mean age of this patient cohort was 10.2 ± 3.8 years. Review of the cases revealed that 18 (3.4 %) patients had AAE and that 20 (3.8 %) patients were readmitted, of whom 13 (2.5 %) underwent a reoperation. Independent risk factors for AAE were a cardiac comorbidity [odds ratio (OR) 12.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 103.7], open fracture (OR 10.2, 95 % CI 1.4, 74.4), and prolonged operative time (OR 17.5, 95 % CI 6.1, 50.5). Independent risk factors for readmission were a central nervous system disorder (OR 4.5, 95 % CI 1.3, 16.2) and a seizure disorder (OR 4.9, 95 % CI 1.0, 23.5).

Conclusions

The results of the multivariate analysis suggest that cardiac comorbidities, open fractures, and prolonged operative time increase the risk for AAE and that central nervous system disorders and seizure disorders may increase the risk for readmission. Surgeons should be aware of these risk factors and counsel the families of pediatric patients who undergo intramedullary nailing of femur fractures.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Flynn J, Hresko T, Reynolds R et al (2001) Titanium elastic nails for pediatric femur fractures: a multicenter study of early results with analysis of complications. J Pediatr Orthop 21:4–8CrossRefPubMed Flynn J, Hresko T, Reynolds R et al (2001) Titanium elastic nails for pediatric femur fractures: a multicenter study of early results with analysis of complications. J Pediatr Orthop 21:4–8CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Hosalkar H, Pandya N, Cho R et al (2011) Intramedullary nailing of pediatric femoral shaft fracture. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 19:472–481PubMed Hosalkar H, Pandya N, Cho R et al (2011) Intramedullary nailing of pediatric femoral shaft fracture. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 19:472–481PubMed
3.
go back to reference Luhmann S, Schootman M, Schoenecker P et al (2003) Complications of titanium elastic nails for pediatric femoral shaft fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 23:443–447PubMed Luhmann S, Schootman M, Schoenecker P et al (2003) Complications of titanium elastic nails for pediatric femoral shaft fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 23:443–447PubMed
4.
go back to reference Moroz L, Launay F, Kocher M et al (2006) Titanium elastic nailing of fractures of the femur in children. Predictors of complications and poor outcome. J Bone Joint Surg Br 88:1361–1366CrossRefPubMed Moroz L, Launay F, Kocher M et al (2006) Titanium elastic nailing of fractures of the femur in children. Predictors of complications and poor outcome. J Bone Joint Surg Br 88:1361–1366CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Sink E, Faro F, Polousky J et al (2010) Decreased complications of pediatric femur fractures with a change in management. J Pediatr Orthop 30:633–637CrossRefPubMed Sink E, Faro F, Polousky J et al (2010) Decreased complications of pediatric femur fractures with a change in management. J Pediatr Orthop 30:633–637CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Heffernan M, Gordon J, Sabatini C et al (2014) Treatment of femur fractures in young children: a multicenter comparison of flexible intramedullary nails to spica casting in young children aged 2 to 6 years. J Pediatr Orthop 35(2):126–129CrossRef Heffernan M, Gordon J, Sabatini C et al (2014) Treatment of femur fractures in young children: a multicenter comparison of flexible intramedullary nails to spica casting in young children aged 2 to 6 years. J Pediatr Orthop 35(2):126–129CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Karaman I, Halici M, Kafadar I (2014) Mid-term results of the elastic intramedullary nailing in paediatric long bone shaft fractures: a prospective study of 102 cases. J Pediatr Orthop B 23:212–220CrossRefPubMed Karaman I, Halici M, Kafadar I (2014) Mid-term results of the elastic intramedullary nailing in paediatric long bone shaft fractures: a prospective study of 102 cases. J Pediatr Orthop B 23:212–220CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Baldwin K, Hsu J, Wenger D et al (2011) Treatment of femur fractures in school-aged children using elastic stable intramedullary nailing: a systematic review. J Pediatr Orthop B 20:303–308CrossRefPubMed Baldwin K, Hsu J, Wenger D et al (2011) Treatment of femur fractures in school-aged children using elastic stable intramedullary nailing: a systematic review. J Pediatr Orthop B 20:303–308CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Reynolds R, Legakis J, Thomas R et al (2012) Intramedullary nails for pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures in older, heavier children: early results. J Child Orthop 6:181–188PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed Reynolds R, Legakis J, Thomas R et al (2012) Intramedullary nails for pediatric diaphyseal femur fractures in older, heavier children: early results. J Child Orthop 6:181–188PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Jalan D, Chandra R, Sharma V (2013) Results of titanium elastic nailing in paediatric femoral diaphyseal fractures—report of 30 cases. Chin J Traumatol 16:77–83PubMed Jalan D, Chandra R, Sharma V (2013) Results of titanium elastic nailing in paediatric femoral diaphyseal fractures—report of 30 cases. Chin J Traumatol 16:77–83PubMed
11.
go back to reference Sun L, Yang J, Tian N et al (2014) Pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with titanium elastic nailing. Orthopedics 37:1021–1026CrossRef Sun L, Yang J, Tian N et al (2014) Pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with titanium elastic nailing. Orthopedics 37:1021–1026CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Kirby R, Winquist R, Hansen S (1981) Femoral shaft fractures in adolescents: a comparison between traction plus cast treatment and closed intramedullary nailing. J Pediatr Orthop 1:193–197CrossRefPubMed Kirby R, Winquist R, Hansen S (1981) Femoral shaft fractures in adolescents: a comparison between traction plus cast treatment and closed intramedullary nailing. J Pediatr Orthop 1:193–197CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Reeves R, Ballard R, Hughes J (1990) Internal fixation versus traction and casting of adolescent femoral shaft fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 10:592–595CrossRefPubMed Reeves R, Ballard R, Hughes J (1990) Internal fixation versus traction and casting of adolescent femoral shaft fractures. J Pediatr Orthop 10:592–595CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Parikh S, Jain V, Denning J et al (2012) Complications of elastic stable intramedullary nailing in pediatric fracture management. Bone Joint Surg Am 94(e184):1–14 Parikh S, Jain V, Denning J et al (2012) Complications of elastic stable intramedullary nailing in pediatric fracture management. Bone Joint Surg Am 94(e184):1–14
15.
go back to reference Narayanan U, Hyman J, Wainwright A et al (2004) Complications of elastic stable intramedullary nail fixation of pediatric femoral fractures, and how to avoid them. J Pediatr Orthop 24:363–369CrossRefPubMed Narayanan U, Hyman J, Wainwright A et al (2004) Complications of elastic stable intramedullary nail fixation of pediatric femoral fractures, and how to avoid them. J Pediatr Orthop 24:363–369CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Salonen A, Lahdes-Vasama T, Mattila V et al (2014) Pitfalls of femoral titanium elastic nailing. Scand J Surg 104(2):121–126CrossRefPubMed Salonen A, Lahdes-Vasama T, Mattila V et al (2014) Pitfalls of femoral titanium elastic nailing. Scand J Surg 104(2):121–126CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Lascombes P, Nespola A, Poircuitte J et al (2012) Early complications of with flexible intramedullary nailing in childhood fracture: a 100 cases managed with precurved tip and shaft nails. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 98:369–375CrossRefPubMed Lascombes P, Nespola A, Poircuitte J et al (2012) Early complications of with flexible intramedullary nailing in childhood fracture: a 100 cases managed with precurved tip and shaft nails. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 98:369–375CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Flynn J, Schwend R (2004) Management of pediatric femoral shaft fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 12:347–359PubMed Flynn J, Schwend R (2004) Management of pediatric femoral shaft fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 12:347–359PubMed
19.
go back to reference Pugely A, Martin C, Gao Y et al (2014) The incidence and risk factors for short-term morbidity and mortality in pediatric deformity spinal surgery: an analysis of the NSQIP pediatric database. Spine 39:1225–1234CrossRefPubMed Pugely A, Martin C, Gao Y et al (2014) The incidence and risk factors for short-term morbidity and mortality in pediatric deformity spinal surgery: an analysis of the NSQIP pediatric database. Spine 39:1225–1234CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Martin CT, Pugely AJ, Gao Y, Weinstein SL (2015) Causes and risk factors for 30 day unplanned readmissions after pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Spine 40:238–246CrossRefPubMed Martin CT, Pugely AJ, Gao Y, Weinstein SL (2015) Causes and risk factors for 30 day unplanned readmissions after pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Spine 40:238–246CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Lavoie J (2011) Blood transfusion risks and alternative strategies in pediatric patients. Paediatr Anaesth 21:14–24CrossRefPubMed Lavoie J (2011) Blood transfusion risks and alternative strategies in pediatric patients. Paediatr Anaesth 21:14–24CrossRefPubMed
22.
23.
go back to reference Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM (2012) Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among US children and adolescents, 1999-2010. JAMA 307:483–490CrossRefPubMed Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM (2012) Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among US children and adolescents, 1999-2010. JAMA 307:483–490CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Gilbert SR, MacLennan PA, Backstrom I, Creek A, Sawyer J (2015) Altered lower extremity fracture characteristics in obese pediatric trauma patients. J Orthop Trauma 29:e12–e17CrossRefPubMed Gilbert SR, MacLennan PA, Backstrom I, Creek A, Sawyer J (2015) Altered lower extremity fracture characteristics in obese pediatric trauma patients. J Orthop Trauma 29:e12–e17CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Schipper P, Diggs B, Ungerleider R et al (2009) The influence of surgeon specialty on outcomes in general thoracic surgery: a national sample 1996 to 2005. Ann Thorac Surg 88:1566–1572CrossRefPubMed Schipper P, Diggs B, Ungerleider R et al (2009) The influence of surgeon specialty on outcomes in general thoracic surgery: a national sample 1996 to 2005. Ann Thorac Surg 88:1566–1572CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference da Silva P, de Aguiar V, Waisberg J (2014) Pediatric surgeon vs general surgeon: does subspecialty training affect the outcome of appendicitis? Pediatr Int 56:248–253CrossRefPubMed da Silva P, de Aguiar V, Waisberg J (2014) Pediatric surgeon vs general surgeon: does subspecialty training affect the outcome of appendicitis? Pediatr Int 56:248–253CrossRefPubMed
27.
28.
go back to reference Goyal N, Aggarwal A, Mishra P et al (2014) Randomized controlled trial comparing stabilization of fresh close femoral shaft fractures in children with titanium elastic nail system versus stainless steel elastic nail system. Acta Orthop Belg 80:69–75PubMed Goyal N, Aggarwal A, Mishra P et al (2014) Randomized controlled trial comparing stabilization of fresh close femoral shaft fractures in children with titanium elastic nail system versus stainless steel elastic nail system. Acta Orthop Belg 80:69–75PubMed
Metadata
Title
Risk factors for complications and readmission after operative fixation of pediatric femur fractures
Authors
Amit Momaya
Dustin Baker
Shawn Gilbert
Brent Ponce
Publication date
01-08-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Children's Orthopaedics / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1863-2521
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2548
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-015-0672-x

Other articles of this Issue 4/2015

Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 4/2015 Go to the issue