EVALUATION OF RESULTS OF TITANIUM ELASTIC NAILING SYSTEM IN PAEDIATRIC LOWER EXTREMITY FRACTURES OF LONG BONES

BACKGROUND: Flexible intramedullary nails have gained widespread popularity for stabilization of pediatric fractures of long bones of lower extremity. AIMS: Purpose of our study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of titanium elastic nailing system (TENS) for paediatric lower extremity long bone fractures. METHODS: All children operated for lower extremity long bone fractures at our tertiary care centre (Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore) between Jan 2012 to Dec 2013 who underwent fixation with TENS were reviewed. Out of 57 cases identified, 4 cases were lost to follow-up. Of the 53 cases, 58.49 per cent were males (boys 31 and girls 22). The average age of patients was 10.8 years (range 6- 14 years). The mean weight was 28.8 kg (range 16 kg - 42 kg). All fractures were reduced by closed manipulation. Outcomes were classified as excellent, satisfactory or poor according to Flynn flexible nail fixation classification. RESULTS: As per Flynn classification, we had 36 excellent, 14 good and 1 poor result. All patients attained complete healing at mean of 11.2 weeks (Range 7 - 16 weeks). Mean duration of hospital stay was of 5 days (Range 3 - 16 days). CONCLUSION: On the basis of results obtained TENS is an effective method for management of unstable paediatric fractures of long bones of lower extremity allowing rapid