Comparative follow-up study of conservative and surgical treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children.

The guiding principles of treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children are discussed. Up to the age of six years a Bryant or Weber bandage was used. In older children surgical treatment was preferred. The indications are outlined. Between 1959 and 1974 100 children with femoral shaft fractures were treated in the Maasziekenhuis, 21 percent received surgical treatment. In 92 cases follow-up was possible. For detection of changes X-ray examination is preferred. Significant deformities were not found. An increase in length by more than one centimeter of the fractured femur was seen in 22 percent of cases after conservative treatment, in 53.8 percent of cases after treatment with a medullary pin and in 16.6 percent after treatment with an AO-pressure plate. For surgical treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children the AO-plate appears to be preferable.