Efficacy and complications after delayed fixation of femoral neck fractures in children

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of surgery for femoral neck fractures in children after a 24-h delay and the factors affecting the risk of complications. Methods: The study included 16 children who underwent surgery after the first 24 h for femoral neck fractures. According to Delbet’s classification, there were 2 type I, 11 type II, and 3 (four hips) type III cases. The mean time from injury to surgery was 85 h (range 27–240 h). According to Garden’s classification, there were 1 type II, 14 type III, and 1 type IV (two hips) cases. Initial surgery consisted of closed reduction and hematocele drainage with a 20-mL needle tube. If the procedure failed, open reduction was performed. Internal fixation (K-wire pinning, screw) was performed after closed (n = 9) or open (n = 8) reduction. The results were assessed using the Ratliff criteria after a mean follow-up of 23.2 months. Patient age, type of fracture, complications, treatment, and avascular necrosis (AVN) were evaluated. Results: The results were good in 15 hips (88.2%) and fair in 2 hips (11.8%, one type II case with closed reduction and one type I case with open reduction). The most frequent complication was AVN (4 of 17; 23.5%; three Ratliff good and one fair), which was significantly related to poor outcomes. AVN occurred in one hip in the closed reduction group (Delbet’s type II, 12.5%) and in three in the open reduction group (one Delbet’s type I, 50%; two Delbet’s type II, 66.7%). There were no significant differences in the time from injury to operation (27, 54, 64, and 116 h) and AVN incidence or Ratliff criteria. Conclusions: The efficacy of delayed reduction fixation of the femoral neck was better in the closed reduction group than in the open reduction group. Fracture location closer to the femoral head and older age affected the incidence of AVN.