Open reduction and plate fixation of femoral shaft fractures in children aged 4 to 10.

A retrospective review of 40 children aged 4 to 10 years with 46 femur fractures treated with open reduction and plate fixation is presented. Follow-up time was 6.3 years (range 2.5-17.5). There were no nonunions. One case of osteomyelitis and one refracture occurred. Leg-length discrepancy averaging 1.2 cm (range 0.4-1.8), with lengthening on the operated side, was observed in 15 patients. Although there is some risk for complications, and although good early results have been reported with elastic intramedullary nails, plate fixation continues to be a viable alternative in the surgical treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children aged 4 to 10.