Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Paediatric Forearm Fractures of the Radius and Ulna Following Fixation by Intramedullary Nailing or Plating: A Systematic Review

Ipsilateral forearm fractures of both the radius and ulna in children are one of the most common forms of injuries in this population. They often result from axial loading on the hand and wrist following a fall on an outstretched hand. These injuries can often be managed either conservatively or operatively. Non-operative management involves the use of cast immobilisation after satisfactory closed reduction. Most fractures managed conservatively have been noted to have a successful outcome. Surgical options of management include the use of intramedullary nailing (IMN), plates and screws, hybrid techniques and rarely external fixators. The purpose of this systematic review is to critically analyse the functional and radiological outcomes as well as the probability of developing a complication in children that have undergone either IMN or plating of both the radius and ulna in the paediatric population. A comprehensive electronic database search from April 2014 until April 2022 was conducted. Studies from PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane electronic databases were retrieved. A total of 260 cohort studies with children between the ages of 5 to 17 years old were identified. After the application of both inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles with a total of 409 patients relevant to this review were identified and analysed. There were no significant inconsistencies statistically in functional and radiological outcomes. Overall complication rate and time to fracture union were similar. Intramedullary nailing was noted to have a shorter operative and anaesthetic time, longer fluoroscopic exposure, and a better cosmetic outcome. Differences in bowing, radial bow magnitude and location had no overall bearing on rotation and daily activity. Considering the methodological limitations of this study, a larger sample size and higher level of evidence such as randomized control studies will yield a more conclusive result to resolve controversies. Based on currently available evidence, both plating and intramedullary nailing are excellent treatment modalities in both-bone forearm fractures.