Treatment of femoral fractures in children by pediatric orthopedists: Results of a 1998 survey

This study aimed to determine treatment preference of various femoral fract ure patterns in children by pediatric orthopedists and whether it is practi ce dependent. In September 1998, members of the Pediatric Orthopedic Societ y of North America were sun;eyed to determine their current preferences in treating each of four middle one-third femoral fracture patterns in four ag e groups. Forty-four percent (286/656) of those surveyed responded. For eac h fracture pattern, operative treatment was increasingly preferred over non operative as patient age increased, and the preferred treatments within the operative and nonoperative categories changed significantly as patient age increased. Fourteen specific cases of femoral head avascular necrosis were noted after rigid reamed and unreamed redding. There is a statistically si gnificant trend by pediatric orthopedists to treat older children's femur f ractures operatively and younger children's nonoperatively. The consensus t reatment is age dependent. The numerous cases of avascular necrosis after r igid redding are a concern.