Femur, shaft: simple fracture, transverse

10.1055/b-0034-87674

Femur, shaft: simple fracture, transverse

Chang-Wug Oh

Case description

A 13-year-old boy sustained a closed, transverse fracture of the right femoral shaft after being hit by a car. He was over-weight for his age.

Indication for MIPO

Pediatric femoral shaft fractures can be treated with different methods depending on the age and weight of the patient. The TEN is an ideal option for pediatric femoral shaft fractures in young children, but it was not suitable in this case, since the patient was over 10 years old and overweight for his age. Rigid intramedullary nailing may be considered, but it can destroy the blood supply to the femoral head resulting in avascular necrosis. The length and intramedullary canal of the femur is small for the standard size of the nail, In this case, plating is the recommended alternative. When plating is used, MIPO should be considered as this technique preserves blood supply to the fracture fragments.

a–b Preoperative AP and lateral x-rays show a transverse diaphyseal fracture of the femur.

Preoperative planning

A good preoperative plan helps to facilitate the subsequent execution of the surgical procedure. The plan should include the surgical approach, a graphic representation of the fracture fragments, the reduction technique, the most appropriate implant, and the sequential steps required in its application ( Fig 23.4-2 ).

Preoperative plan. A 14-hole broad locking compression plate (LCP) is selected and three screws are placed on each main fracture fragment. 1 The second proximal hole is fixed first with a cortex screw to hold the plate in place. 2 Then, indirect reduction with a cortex screw at the second last hole distally is also fixed. 3–6 After checking the alignment with image intensification, additional LHSs are inserted in both main fracture fragments.

Operating room setup

Anesthesia

General anesthesia is usually recommended for children.

Patient and image intensifier positioning

The patient is positioned supine on a radiolucent operating table. Placing a pad under the patient‘s ipsilateral buttock prevents the leg from externally rotating so the surgeon does not need to hold the leg during the procedure ( Fig 23.4-3 ). Preparing and draping both lower extremities in patients with complex fractures will allow for better assessment of leg length, alignment, and rotation by comparison with the uninjured leg. Improved lateral proximal view with image intensification is accomplished by elevating the opposite leg. The C-arm is positioned on the opposite side of the injured leg. A preoperative image of the contralateral hip and knee using image intensification can be helpful to check correct mechanical axis of the femur.

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue