Intramedullary Blunt K-Wire Fixation for Pediatric Forearm Fractures

Yoo Joon Sur; Yong Sin Cho; Ho Youn Park

doi:10.12790/ahm.2019.24.2.126

Journal List > Arch Hand Microsurg > v.24(2) > 1125366

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Sur, Cho, and Park: Intramedullary Blunt K-Wire Fixation for Pediatric Forearm Fractures

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Archives of Hand and Microsurgery 2019; 24(2): 126-132.

Published online: 30 May 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/ahm.2019.24.2.126

Intramedullary Blunt K-Wire Fixation for Pediatric Forearm Fractures

Yoo Joon Sur, Yong Sin Cho, Ho Youn Park

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Korea.

Corresponding author: Ho Youn Park. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, 271 Cheonbo-ro, Uijeongbu 11765, Korea. TEL: +82-31-820-5355, FAX: +82-31-847-3671, hypark@catholic.ac.kr

Received 27 August 2018 Revised 29 April 2019 Accepted 1 May 2019

Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand, Korean Society for Microsurgery, and Korean Society for Surgery of the Peripheral Nerve

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

Intramedullary blunt K-wire fixation was performed for pediatric forearm fractures and we report the clinical results.

Methods

From January 2014 to December 2017, we retrospectively reviewed 35 patients who underwent surgical treatment for pediatric forearm fractures under 14 years of age. The location of the fracture, pre- and postoperative angulation, and the union time were evaluated using simple radiographs. Patients were evaluated for postoperative immobilization period, postoperative range of motion of the wrist and elbow joints, and postoperative complications.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 8.1 years. The fracture site was the both in 22 cases, the radius in 8 cases, and ulna in 5 cases. The location of fracture was 10 cases in distal diaphysis, 22 cases in mid-shaft, and 3 cases in proximal diaphysis. The mean postoperative immobilization period was 5 weeks and bone union was achieved at 4 weeks. Bony union was obtained in all cases and all cases showed normal range of motion. There were no major complications such as re-fracture, pin fracture, or infection.

Conclusion

Intramedullary blunt K-wire fixation for pediatric forearm fractures may be one of the treatment methods that can be considered regardless of the location of the fracture with few complications.

Keywords: Pediatric forearm fractures, Blunt Kirschner wires, Intramedullary fixation

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

A 1.1 mm and 1.5 mm K-wires with blunt tip compared to regular K-wire.

Fig. 2

(A) Preoperative simple radiographs showed fracture of the distal radius and ulnar metadiaphyseal junction. (B) Simple radiographs after reduction showed 13 degrees angulation. (C) Intramedullary blunt K-wire fixation was performed and postoperative radiographs showed satisfactory reduction. (D) Postoperative 6 weeks radiographs showed bony union. (E) Postoperative 6 months radiographs after pin removal showed good union.

Fig. 3

(A) Preoperative simple radiographs showed Gustilo–Anderson type I open fracture of radius and ulnar shaft. (B) Intramedullary blunt K-wire fixation was performed and postoperative radiographs showed satisfactory reduction. (C) Postoperative 6 weeks radiographs showed bony union. (D) Postoperative 6 months radiographs after pin removal showed good union.

Table 1

Demographics

Variable	Value
Age (yr)	8.1 (3-13)
Subject
Male	31
Female	4
Fractured bone
Radius and ulna	22
Radius	8
Ulna	5
Location of the fracture
Distal diaphysis	10
Mid diaphysis	22
Proximal diaphysis	3

Values are presented as median (range) or number only.

Notes

^{CONFLICTS OF INTEREST} The authors have nothing to disclose.

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