IMPROVED TREATMENT OF FEMORAL-SHAFT FRACTURES IN CHILDREN UTILIZING THE PONTOON SPICA CAST - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

This prospective study looked at 91 pediatric femur fractures. Patient s were randomized into two groups: (a) A traditional group treated wit h 3 weeks in traction followed by spica; and (b) a pontoon spica group in which patients were treated first with only a few days in traction and then with a 90-90 pins-in-plastic spica. The pontoon spica provid es excellent short- and long-term results. These include (a) providing substantial cost savings; (b) causing much less inconvenience to the family and child; (c) reducing the number of inpatient days, thereby f reeing hospital beds; (d) permitting early motion; (e) reducing the nu mber of short-term complications; and (f) preventing excessive shorten ing while controlling rotation.