Objective To compare the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation with plate and closed reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) in the treatment of intra-articular displaced calcaneal fractures in older children. MethodsA clinical data of 35 older children (37 feet) with intra-articular displaced calcaneal fractures who were admitted between November 2014 and November 2020 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 19 cases (20 feet) underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plate (plate group), and 16 cases (17 feet) underwent closed reduction and internal fixation with K-wire (K-wire group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, side and type of fracture, and time from injury to admission, and preoperative calcaneal Gissane angle and Böhler angle (P>0.05). The postoperative calcaneal Gissane angle, Böhler angle, complications, and fracture healing were compared between the two groups. The ankle function was evaluated based on the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scoring system. Results Incision necrosis occurred in 1 foot in the plate group after operation, which healed after symptomatic treatment; the other incisions in the two groups healed by first intention. All children were followed up 12-39 months (mean, 19 months). X-ray films showed that the fractures in both groups healed; the healing time was (2.65±0.71) months in the plate group and (2.24±1.38) months in the K-wire group respectively, with no significant difference (t=1.161, P=0.253). At last follow-up, the calcaneal Gissane angle and Böhler angle returned to normal; and the difference between pre- and post-operation in the two group was significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the difference between before and after operation (P>0.05). In the plate group, the plate was removed at 11-22 months after operation (mean, 16.8 months). At last follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score in the plate group was 91.2±5.1, which was significantly higher than that in the K-wire group (86.9±6.1) (t=2.316, P=0.027). The ankle function was rated as excellent in 15 feet, good in 4 feet, and fair in 1 foot in the plate group, and excellent in 14 feet and good in 3 feet in the K-wire group, and the difference between the two groups was not significant (Z=1.712, P=0.092). ConclusionFor intra-articular displaced calcaneal fracture in older children, the open reduction and internal fixation with plate and closed reduction and internal fixation with K-wire can achieve good effectiveness, but the former has better recovery of ankle function.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound- and arthrography-assisted Kirschner wire fixation in the treatment of Jakob type Ⅱ lateral condylar humerus fracture (LCHF) in children. Methods A clinical data of 101 children with Jakob type Ⅱ LCHF, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between April 2021 and April 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 47 cases were treated with ultrasound-assisted Kirschner wire fixation (group A), and 54 cases with arthrography-assisted surgery (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, fracture side, and disease duration between groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative fluoroscopy times, operation time, and hospital stay, Flynn elbow joint function score, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between groups. X-ray examination was performed to observe the healing of fracture, and measure the carrying angle and the shaft-condylar angle (SCA). ResultsThe success rate of closed reduction was significantly higher in group A than in group B (P<0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy times was significantly less in group A than in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time and hospital stay between groups (P>0.05). All children in both groups were followed up 12-18 months, with an average of 13.6 months. X-ray reexamination showed that the fractures of both groups healed, and the difference in healing time was not significant (P>0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in carrying angle and SCA between unaffected side and affected side in both groups and between groups A and B in affected side (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Flynn elbow joint function score between groups (P>0.05). There were 18 cases of lateral spurs formation in group A, 1 case of pinning infection and 26 cases of lateral spurs formation in group B, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of the above complications (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with the arthrography, the ultrasound-assisted Kirschner wire fixation in the treatment of Jakob type Ⅱ LCHF in children can avoid the open reduction and decrease the number of intraoperative fluoroscopy, and obtain the good effectiveness.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of thumb blocking technique through closed reduction of ulnar Kirschner wire threading in the treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures in children. MethodsThe clinical data of 58 children with Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures treated with closed reduction of ulnar Kirschner wire threading by thumb blocking technique between January 2020 and May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 27 females with an average age of 6.4 years ranging from 2 to 14 years. The causes of injury were falling in 47 cases and sports injury in 11 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 24.4 to 70.6 hours, with an average of 49.6 hours. The twitch of ring and little fingers was observed during operation, the injury of ulnar nerve was observed after operation, and the healing time of fracture was recorded. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by Flynn elbow score, and the complications were observed. Results There was no twitch of the ring and little fingers when the Kirschner wire was inserted on the ulnar side during operation, and the ulnar nerve was not injured. All children were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 12.9 months. One child had postoperative infection in the operation area, local skin redness and swelling, and purulent secretion exudation at the eye of the Kirschner wire, which was improved after intravenous infusion and regular dressing change in the outpatient department, and the Kirschner wire was removed after the initial healing of the fracture; 2 children had irritation at the end of the Kirchner wire, and recovered after oral antibiotics and dressing change in the outpatient department. There was no serious complication such as nonunion and malunion, and the fracture healing time ranged from 4 to 6 weeks, with an average of 4.2 weeks. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated by Flynn elbow score, which was excellent in 52 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 96.6%. ConclusionThe treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures in children by closed reduction and ulnar Kirschner wire fixation assisted with thumb blocking technique is safe and stable, and will not cause iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury.