To Compare the Study of Single Versus Double Bone Intramedullary Fixation in Paediatric Both Bone Forearm Fractures

Abstract

Background: Forearm fractures which are commonly observed amongst children, accounts for 40% of all fractures. The question of whether fixing the ulna or radius alone is sufficient to restore and sustain stability in fractures of both forearm bones, as well as if it has equivalent complication rates, is still up for debate.

Objective: To compare the study of single versus double bone intramedullary fixation in paediatric both bone forearm fractures.

Material and Methods: This study was taken up as a prospective randomized study of 24 patients of whom 12 children underwent single forearm fixation, while the remaining underwent double forearm fixation, in a tertiary care institute in South India. Simple random sampling technique was used in selection of study participants from the study population and were then randomly allocated into study groups using table of random numbers. 

Results: Maximum of the study participants were in the age group of 10-12 years (58.3%) and were males (62.5%). The mean age of the study participants was observed to be 11.2 ± 2.2 years. None of the participants in both the group developed any complications post-operatively. Mean casting time of the single group was 53.1 days and that of the double group was 45 days (p-value < 0.001). Mean union time of the single group was 12.7 weeks and that of the double group was 10.8 weeks (p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: For children with both-bone forearm fractures, Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nail (ESIN) fixing is not always required , single-bone intramedullary fixation of the ulna offers better outcomes and is an adequate and effective choice. Yet, it has been observed that an intramedullary nail in the radius and ulna offers fracture stability, a shorter time spent in a cast, and prevents joint stiffness.