Union and complications after Thomas splint and early hip spica for femoral shaft fractures in children

Abstract

Objective: To compare the time of union, degree of shortening and angulations in coronal and sagittal plane in children after applying Thomas splint and early hip spica for the treatment of isolated closed femoral shaft fractures.

Design: Interventional quasi-experimental study.

Place and duration of study: Orthopedic department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi from December 2002 to January 2004.

Subjects and methods: A 100 patients of either gender selected by non-probability convenience with closed unilateral femoral shaft fracture were equally divided into 2 groups. Group A was treated with Thomas splint and Group B with early hip spica casting. Above mentioned variables were noted in both groups.

Results: In group A, there were 60% (n = 30) males and 40% (n = 20) females. In group B, there were 62% (n = 31) males and 38% (n = 19) females. Mean age was 6.94 + 2.75 years in group A and 5.48 + 2.67 years in group B. Time of union, degree of shortening and angulations in coronal and sagittal plane were not significantly different in two groups. Duration of stay in hospital was 4.82 + 2.4 days in group A and 3.68 + 2.11 days in group B.

Conclusion: Results comparable to early hip spica cast can be obtained with Thomas splint in children with isolated closed femoral shaft fracture.