Comparison of Three Different Surgical Fixation Techniques in Pediatric Forearm Double Fractures

Introduction Although forearm fractures are one of the most common fractures in children, controversy remains about the optimal fixation technique in the surgical treatment of these fractures. The aim of this study was to compare the results of pediatric patients with a forearm double fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation (plate-screw group), elastic intramedullary nailing to both bones (ESIN), and hybrid fixation (the radius or ulna is fixed with the help of ESIN and the other forearm bone is fixed using plate-screw). Methods A retrospective scan was made of the records of 51 patients with forearm double diaphyseal fractures (19 plate-screw, 18 ESIN, and 14 hybrid fixation). Comparisons were made in respect of the duration of surgery, length of the incision, duration of follow-up, time to union, functional results, and complication rates. Results The study results showed that the surgical incision length and operating time in the hybrid group were statistically significantly shorter than in the plate-screw group (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined between the three groups in respect of the functional results (p>0.05). Conclusion When the hybrid fixation technique was compared with other methods, the results were equal or better in terms of surgery time, incision length, time to union, and complications. Therefore, this technique can be used as an effective and reliable method in appropriate pediatric forearm diaphyseal double fractures.