Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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Compartment syndrome can be difficult to diagnose in a child, with delays in diagnosis leading to disastrous outcomes. Thirty-six cases of compartment syndrome in 33 pediatric patients were treated at the authors' institution from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1997. There were 27 boys and 6 girls, with nearly equal upper and lower extremity involvement. ⋯ Pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, and pulselessness were relatively unreliable signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome in these children. An increasing analgesia requirement in combination with other clinical signs, however, was a more sensitive indicator of compartment syndrome: all 10 patients with access to patient-controlled or nurse-administered analgesia during their initial evaluation demonstrated an increasing requirement for pain medication. With early diagnosis and expeditious treatment, >90% of the patients studied achieved full restoration of function.
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Radial neck nonunion in children is a rare complication of a displaced radial neck fracture. The authors conducted a retrospective review of nine cases of radial neck nonunion in an effort to identify risk factors for nonunion and to evaluate treatment options. Nine patients, average age 8.2 years, sustained displaced Salter-Harris type II fractures of the radial neck, with average angulation of 83 degrees and average displacement of 83%, and elbow dislocation or additional fracture in eight of nine patients. ⋯ Healing of the nonunion did not necessarily lead to improvement of clinical symptoms. Severity of initial fracture displacement and inadequate fixation technique contributed to radial neck nonunion. Treatment of the nonunion should depend on the patient's pain, deformity, and functional restriction.
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This study aimed to determine treatment preference of various femoral fracture patterns in children by pediatric orthopedists and whether it is practice dependent. In September 1998, members of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America were surveyed to determine their current preferences in treating each of four middle one-third femoral fracture patterns in four age groups. Forty-four percent (286/656) of those surveyed responded. ⋯ There is a statistically significant trend by pediatric orthopedists to treat older children's femur fractures operatively and younger children's nonoperatively. The consensus treatment is age dependent. The numerous cases of avascular necrosis after rigid rodding are a concern.
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Pediatric pelvic fractures are serious injuries. Anatomical differences exist between pediatric and adult populations, leading to different causes and rates of death, fracture patterns, and associated injuries. This study is the largest consecutive series of pediatric pelvic fractures from one institution emphasizing the unique aspects seen in pediatrics. ⋯ Urethral injury was not seen as often as in adults. Anterior ring fractures were the most common type, dominated by pedestrian versus motor vehicle trauma. Anatomical differences and mechanism of injury may play a role in these contrasting findings.
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Case Reports Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Supracondylar fractures of the humerus associated with ipsilateral forearm fractures in children: a report of forty-seven cases.
Supracondylar fractures of the humerus associated with ipsilateral forearm fractures are uncommon and treatment recommendations are controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pin fixation of both fracture components, humerus and forearm, would improve the outcome. In a two-center trial, 884 children sustaining supracondylar fractures of the humerus were retrospectively reviewed, and 47 (5.3%) showed associated ipsilateral forearm fractures. ⋯ There were no reangulations in the patients who had pin fixation of their fractures. There were no complications due to pin fixation in the humerus or the forearm. In unstable supracondylar humerus and forearm fractures, stabilization with pin fixation to prevent reangulation should be considered.