Nonoperative management of pediatric type I open fractures

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the results of pediatric patients with type I open fractures managed nonoperatively. A retrospective chart review of all type I open fractures managed nonoperatively from 1998 to 2003 was performed. Forty patients were followed until healing of the fracture clinically and radiologically. One deep infection occurred in this series, producing an overall infection rate of 2.5%. This compares favorably with the literature's infection rate of 1.9% in pediatric type I open fractures treated operatively. There was a 0% infection rate in the 32 upper-extremity type I open fractures and a 0% infection rate in the 23 patients under age 12. These results suggest that nonoperative management of pediatric type I open fractures is safe and effective, especially in children under age 12 with upper-extremity fractures.