DISPLACED RADIAL NECK FRACTURES IN CHILDREN TREATED BY CLOSED INTRAMEDULLARY PINNING (METAIZEAU TECHNIQUE)

We report the retrospective results of 17 displaced radial neck fractu res (O'Brien type II-III) in children aged between 6 and 16 years trea ted with closed intramedullary pinning according to the Metaizeau tech nique, from 1988 to 1992 in our Pediatric Orthopaedic Service at the R amon y Cajal Hospital. The average follow-up was 4.1 years. Excellent results were observed in all cases except one (94%). Overgrowth of the radial head was present in three cases without functional impairment. We recommend this closed method of treatment because it is simple, ea sy to perform, and obtains exciting results with few complications.