Immediate percutaneous intramedullary fixation and functional bracing for the treatment of pediatric femoral shaft fracture.

Fifty-three consecutive children ages 6 to 14 with femur fractures treated with early percutaneous intramedullary fixation were evaluated retrospectively. The operation was performed within 24 hours in 50 patients and in the remainder after 48 hours. All patients were mobilized and allowed full weight-bearing in a functional brace in the early postoperative period. The average hospital stay was 4 days. The average follow-up was 24 months. There were no significant intra- or postoperative complications. An average overgrowth of 1.8 mm was measured using scanogram 24 months after surgery. In the authors' experience, this technique is highly effective for the treatment of children 6 to 14 years old with femur fractures. The main advantages of this method are early weight-bearing, immediate mobilization, short hospitalization, and fewer complications.