ALTAF HUSSAIN SHAIKH . GULZAR SAEED AHMED . AHMED KHAN ZARDARI . BILAL FAZAL SHAIKH

ABSTRACT | Full Text Pdf

Objective: To identify a suitable method of treatment of femur fracture in growing children in our setup.

Study Design: Prospective Descriptive study.

Place and duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro and in a private setup from March 2008 to February 2011.

Sampling Technique: Non-probability purposive sampling.

Patients and Method: After obtaining detailed informed consent in local languages from parents of patients, 60 children of both genders and 2-10 years of age with femur fracture were included in this study.Patients were randomized in two groups. Group I: 30 patients treated and hospitalized for 24 hours in traction, followed by the Spica cast. Group II: 30 patients treated with traction and hospitalized for 20-30 days followed by Spica cast.

Result: Age range was 2-10 year in both groups. Group I = Average hospital stay mean 1.5 days. Average time in Spica cast mean 52.5 days. No limb length discrepancy mean in 86.67% Patients, less than 2 cm of limb length discrepancy was seen in 13.3% patients. 100 -150 of angulation was seen in 73.33% patients, 100-200 of angulation was seen in 20% of patients. Group II: average hospital stay was 25 days average time in Spica cast was 25 days, no limb length discrepancy was seen in 90% of patients, less than 2cm of limb length discrepancy was seen in 10% of patients, 100-150 of angulation was seen in 66.63% patients, 160-200 angulation was seen in 30%patients.

Conclusion: Spica cast found to be method of choice for treating the femoral fracture in children due to lesser complications, early return to home and decreased hospital stay.