Abstract: Background: Closed reduction and casting is effective form of treatment of tibial shaft fractures in children. Elastic nailing is of tibia fracture in children has gained popularity. Elastic nailing allows early discharge from hospital and early mobilization, does not usually require casting, and avoids repeated re- manipulation often needed in non operative treatment to maintain axial alignment. The purpose of this study was to asses the outcome of unstable tibial shaft fractures fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nails.
Material and Methods: In this hospital based prospective study, 32 patients with tibial shaft fractures were treated with titanium elastic nails in the Department of Orthopaedic, Govt. Medical College and Associated group of hospitals, Kota during the September 2017- December 2019. Post operatively outcomes were classified as excellent, satisfactory or poor according to Flynn’s criteria for flexible nail fixation.
Result: There were 6(19%) girls and 26 (81%) boys in the present study. RTA was the most common mode of injury accounting for 26(81.25%) cases, Average duration between trauma and surgery was 2.7 days in the our study, the mean time for union found to be 12.4 weeks. Superficial infection was seen in only 1(3.1%) case. Two patient complains nail end irritation. In the present study, the final outcome was excellent in 26 (81.25%) cases, satisfactory in 4 (12.5) cases and there 6.25% poor outcome cases.
Conclusion: Tens nails is method of choice for tibia shaft fracture in pediatric patients, because it allow early mobilization, short hospital stays, and higher parent satisfaction.
