EXTERNAL FIXATION FOR DIAPHYSEAL FEMORAL FRACTURES - A BENEFIT TO THEYOUNG-CHILD

External fixation for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures in children seems an attractive alternative, which explains why its appl ication gets more and more advocates. Between 1984 and 1989 15 childre n aged from 4 to 10 years were treated for a diaphyseal femoral fractu re with an external fixation using a small Hofmann system. Fracture he aling was without complications. Four children were able to walk on cr utches non-weight-bearing after a short period. Six cases had complica tions, such as pin tract infection, inexplicable pain, or secondary di splacement. One patient sustained a supracondylar fracture through one of the distal pin tracts. Hospital stay was longer than expected. In conclusion external fixation for femoral fractures in children is simp le and elegant, but has considerable complications, while presumed adv antages are not always obtained. In selected cases it is an attractive alternative, but the indications must be restricted.