TREATMENT OF FEMORAL SHAFT FRACTURES IN CHILDREN OF PRESCHOOL AGE.

There are several methods of treatment of femoral shaft fractures in small age children (from 2 to 5 yaers of age). Aim of our study was to compare two of them: skeletal traction followed by spica cast and osteosynthesis by Titanium elastic intramedullary nails. We analyzed and compared 93 patient's data from which 44 patients were treated by skeletal traction followed by Spica cast ("traction group") and 49 patients were treated by osteosynthesis with titanium elastic nails ("TEN's group"). According to Flynn's scoring criteria for TEN there was not statistically significant difference between groups: in "traction group" 33 patient had excellent results, 8 patient - satisfactory and 3 patient - poor results; in "TEN's group 42 patient had excellent results, 6 patient - satisfactory and 1 patient - poor result. There was statistically significant difference between groups according the beginning partial weight bearing for patient after treatment - 4,67 weeks for "TEN's group" and 5,68 for the "traction group". We created questionnaire for parents and caregivers about difficulties of patients' care at home before they start to walk and there was also significant difference which showed that care for patient in "TEN's group wasn't as difficult as for patients in "traction group". There was no case of infection, delayed union or nonunion in all of the 93 patients. We concluded that osteosynthesis by titanium elastic intramedullary nail remains excellent choice of treatment for this pathology and it can be successfully used as alternative for conservative treatment in this age of patient's.