Titanium Elastic Intramedulary Nailing in Displaced Forearm Fractures in Children: An Experience of 154 Cases

Diaphyseal forearm fractures in children are extremely common. They are mostly treated by conservative methods. The elastic intramedullary nail is a good solution owing to its advantages in the cases when surgery is needed.
A total of 154 children with a forearm double fracture, who were surgically treated with the titanium elastic nail at the Department of Orthopedics, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015, were included in the study. Children aged more than 14 years with pathologic fractures, isolated radius, and isolated ulna fracture were excluded from the study. All cases were followed up for 1 year. All cases were treated first with closed reduction and casting. A surgical decision was taken for the cases that could not be reduced and had a shift in the fracture line in the follow-ups.
The average union was radiologically for 5.9 weeks (4-9). Pin tract infection was observed in two cases, skin irritation in seven cases, nail migration three cases, and refracture six cases. Nerve damage, tendon rupture, malunion, nonunion, and synostosis were not observed. Perfect results were obtained in 126 (82.7%) cases, and good results were obtained in 26 (15.9%) cases in the study.
Elastic intramedullary nailing is a surgical technique primarily preferred for forearm fractures in children because it is easily applicable; is associated with a small incision and no need for a secondary operation; has a low complication risk; and yields good clinical and radiological results.