[Plate fixation of closed femoral shaft fractures in adolescents].

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the results, advantages, and disadvantages of plate fixation of closed femoral shaft fractures in adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 years.

Methods: The study included 35 adolescents (26 males, 9 females; mean age 13.4 years) who were treated by plate fixation for closed femoral shaft fractures and had an adequate follow-up. The fractures were bilateral in two patients, on the left in 17 patients (48%), and on the right in 16 patients (45%). Traffic accidents were the most frequent etiology (57%). Nineteen patients presented with head injuries and/or multiple fractures. The mean follow-up was 34.9 months (range 22 to 156 months).

Results: All fractures healed in a mean of 10 weeks (range 6 to 16 weeks). No plate break or refractures occurred. Two patients had a loss of 20 degrees in knee flexion. Atrophy of the quadriceps muscle was observed in nine patients. Evaluations with the use of scanogram, orthorontgenogram, plain radiographs, and clinical examination showed an average overgrowth of 1.2 cm (range 0.4 to 1.6 cm).

Conclusion: Despite some disadvantages, plate fixation seems to be an alternative method in the treatment of adolescent femoral fractures, enabling an anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation.