Arthrotomy and open reduction of the displaced fracture of the femoral neck in children.

The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy of limited arthrotomy coupled with open reduction and internal fixation to minimize potential complications of vascular disruption of the capital femoral physis and femoral epiphysis. It was a patient outcome study. Skeletally immature patients with femoral neck fractures were treated according to a protocol in which all patients underwent limited arthrotomy with decompression of the intercapsular hematoma, open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging studies were carried out on patients to assess whether avascular necrosis developed in the postoperative period. Patients were followed for a mean length of 2 years 8 months, with a range of 2 years to 5.5 years. Twelve patients had good results and one had fair results using Ratliff criteria. No patient developed avascular necrosis (ischemic necrosis), coxa vara, nonunion or premature epiphyseal closure. This study supports the hypothesis that limited decompression of the intracapsular hematoma in children with femoral neck fractures may be a factor in obviating the subsequent appearance of ischemic disruption of the epiphysis and physis.