Abstract: Introduction: Femoral diaphyseal fractures constitute 1.6% of all paediatric bony injuries. The choice of treatment modality based on the age of the patient, type of fractures, fracture site diameter of intramedullary canal, the severity of the injury, and surgeon’s preference. Titanium elastic nailing (TENS) is becoming popular treatment for femur diaphyseal fractures in children and adolescents. The objective of the study was analyzing the clinical profile of the patient and assessing the results of titanium elastic nailing as a primary procedure in femoral diaphyseal fractures.
Methods: In a prospective study of 34 patients, aged 6 to 16 years with fracture shaft of femur were treated with Titanium Elastic Nailing (TENS) at Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka from July 2012 to June 2015.
Results: In this study 20 patients (58.82%) were between 9-12 years of age with mean age being 10.2 years. There were 21 (61.76%) boys and 13 (38.24%) girls. Road traffic accidents constituted for 24 (70.58%) of the patients. Middle 1/3rd of the femur shaft was affected in 22 (64.70%) cases. Transverse fractures accounted for 20 (58.82%) cases, Oblique fractures in 8 (23.53%) cases and spiral fractures in 6(17.65%) cases. Most of the cases were stabilized with two 2.5 mm, 3 mm and 3.5mm titanium nails. Duration of operation was between 52- 120 mins. Time for clinical and radiological union of fracture was between 10 to 12 weeks.
Conclusion: Titanium elastic nailing (TENS) of femoral diaphyseal fractures in paediatric age group (6-16 years) is the best and effective method of surgical treatment.
