[Minimally invasive retrograde insertion of elastic intramedullary nails for displaced clavicle fractures in children].

OBJECTIVE

To study the application and effect of retrograde titanium elastic nails fixation for the treatment of displaced clavicle fracture in children under closed reduction.

METHODS

From January 2014 to November 2016, 26 children with displaced fractures of the clavicle were treated by closed reduction and retrograde inserted titanium elastic nails including 14 boys and 12 girls with an average age of 9.2 years old ranging from 7 to 14 years. Time from injury to operation was 2 to 7 days with an average of 2.8 days. Visual analogue score (VAS) was used to evaluate the main complaint pain in all patients before and 2 days after operation. The Neer score of shoulder function between affected side and healthy side at 2 months after operation were compared.

RESULTS

All the 26 children were followed up for 6 to 12 months. All cases healed well without infection, broken nails or titanium elastic nails exit complications. All children achieved anatomical reduction, good bony union, and good recovery of shoulder joint activity. The average time of removing nail was 14 to 32(16.25±2.62)weeks. The pain VAS score was significantly relieved 2 days after operation (<0.05). At 2 months after operation, the Neer score of shoulder joint was 98.46±1.07 in affected side and 98.58±1.10 in healthy side respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Titanium elastic intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of displaced clavicular fracture in children has the advantages of minimal invasion, no effect on skin beauty, rapid healing of fracture, good recovery of postoperative function, simple nailing and less complications.