Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents

Background. Intramedullary rods and external fixators are reported to be more widely used than plating in osteosynthesis of femoral shaft fractures in children. In our institution plating is the routine, and we are reporting our experience in a retrospective study. Methods. Two groups of patients were treated by AO plating for femoral shaft fractures. The first included 36 polytraumatized children and the second involved 10 cases of old malunited fractures. Average follow-up for the patients was 5 years. Results. All children achieved union after one operation except one. There were no major complications except one case of mechanical failure. Insignificant limb length inequality occurred in only six children. Conclusion. We believed that plating of femoral shaft fractures is a reasonable option in treating children with fresh and neglected fractures.