Primary Hip Spica Versus External Fixator for Management of Femoral Diaphysealfractures in Children

Abstract

Objective: To compare the results of primary hip spica (HS) to external fixation (EF) for treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children aged 5-10 years in terms of Hospital stay, time to union and Radiological assessment.
Methods: Forty children of age 5-10 years with fracture shaft of femur were divided into two groups; Hip Spica (HS) and External Fixator (EF) which were treated with hip spica & external fixator respectively. Both groups were compared for duration of hospital stay, time for radiological union, radiological assessment, functional outcome, complications and parent/children satisfaction.
Results: Mean duration of hospital stay in Group HS was 1.5 days and in Group EF was 2.0 days (p < 0.03). Time for radiological union was lower in Group HS compared to Group EF (8-weeks vs 10-weeks; p<0.05) regarding angular deformity at fracture site, in group HS 80% children got sagittal plane angular deformity at fracture site with mean of 16.5 and in group EF 65% children had 11.3 of sagittal
Conclusions: External fixation is better than primary hip spica for treatment of close femoral shaft fracture in children 5-10 years of age because it is associated with lesser complications and it is better tolerated