Complications and Outcomes of Open Pediatric Forearm Fractures

Scott J. Luhmann, Mario Schootman, Perry L. Schoenecker, Matthew B. Dobbs, J. Eric Gordon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Few reports have documented the complications and outcomes of open pediatric forearm fractures. The authors completed of all patients (1987-1999) with open forearm fractures. Sixty-five patients with 65 injured extremities were identified, with an average age of 10.3 years. Fifty-two open fractures were grade I, 12 were grade II, and 1 was grade IIIA. Implants stabilized 40 extremities (62%), which improved alignment but not outcome. Forearms initially stabilized with implants did not undergo additional realignment procedures (0%), compared with 18.5% of forearms without stabilization. Eleven patients (16.9%) experienced complications. Overall, 47 (72%) were classified as having excellent results, 11 (17%) as good, and 7 (11%) as fair. Open pediatric forearm fractures have a high percentage of excellent and good outcomes. Early, thorough surgical débridement produces a low frequency of deep infections, and bony stabilization can be a safe technique, permitting more anatomic alignment and preventing the need for reoperation due to malalignment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2004

Keywords

  • Complications
  • Forearm fractures
  • Open fractures
  • Pediatric
  • Radius fractures
  • Ulna fractures

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