Dynamic skeletal traction spica casts for paediatric femoral fractures in a resource-limited setting.

The objective of this study was to compare elastic intramedullary nailing (EIN) with dynamic skeletal traction spica casting (DSTSC) in terms of postoperative radiographic angulations, length of hospital stay, and cost in a resource-limited setting. We prospectively studied 51 children, five to twelve years of age, with femoral fractures treated with either EIN (n = 26) or DSTSC (n = 25). Children treated with EIN had significantly longer hospital stays (17 +/- 8.