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. 2013 Apr 30;2013(4):CD008775.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008775.pub2.

Conservative interventions for treating diaphyseal fractures of the forearm bones in children

Vrisha Madhuri  1 , Vivek Dutt, Abhay D Gahukamble, Prathap Tharyan
Affiliations

Conservative interventions for treating diaphyseal fractures of the forearm bones in children

Vrisha Madhuri et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Diaphyseal forearm fractures in children are common injuries, the vast majority of which are treated conservatively. There is a need to assess the role of modifiable factors such as techniques of reduction and casting in order to optimise functional recovery.

Objectives: To assess the effects of different conservative interventions for diaphyseal forearm fractures in children, including adolescents.

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (to November 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, 2012 Issue 11), MEDLINE (1950 to November 2012), EMBASE (1980 to November 2012), CINAHL (1982 to November 2012), trial registries (to November 2012), conference proceedings and reference lists of articles.

Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing conservative interventions for diaphyseal forearm fractures in children were eligible for inclusion.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently examined search results to identify eligible trials.

Main results: After screening 493 citations, 17 potentially eligible studies were identified. Of these 13 studies were excluded, two studies, both reported incompletely in conference abstracts only, await assessment and two are ongoing trials whose recruitment status is unknown.

Authors' conclusions: This review found no usable evidence from randomised trials to make recommendations concerning different conservative interventions for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the forearm bones in children. Publication in full of trials that have already been performed on this topic would be a useful start to changing this unsatisfactory situation.

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Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Update of

References

References to studies excluded from this review

Alpar 1981 {published data only}
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Baitner 2007 {published data only}
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Bochang 2005a {published data only}
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Bohm 2006 {published data only}
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Kropman 2010 {published data only}
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Lim 2007 {published data only}
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References to studies awaiting assessment

Bae 2012 {published data only (unpublished sought but not used)}
    1. Bae D. Randomized trial of casting techniques for displaced forearm fractures. http://www.clinicaltrial.gov/ct2/show/NCT00823823 (accessed 03 December 2012).
    1. Bae DS, Valim C, Connell P, Brustowicz K, Waters PM. Circumferential vs bivalved cast immobilisation for displaced forearm fractures: A randomized clinical trial to assess safety and efficacy: Level 1 evidence (abstract). Journal of Hand Surgery 2012;37(8 SUPPL 1):41‐2. - PubMed
Yousef 2006 {published data only (unpublished sought but not used)}
    1. Yousef A, Al Jafari N, Horton T. Soft cast vs Plaster of Paris in treatment of greenstick fractures in children (abstract). Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery ‐ British Volume 2006;88‐B Suppl II:278.

References to ongoing studies

NCT00314600 {unpublished data only}
    1. Colaris JW. Treatment of non‐dislocated midshaft both‐bone fractures. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00314600 (accessed 03 December 2012).
NCT00398242 {unpublished data only}
    1. Colaris JW. Treatment of stable both‐bone midshaft forearm fractures in children. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00398242 (accessed 03 December 2012).

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References to other published versions of this review

Madhuri 2010
    1. Madhuri V, Gahukamble AD, Dutt V, Tharyan P. Conservative interventions for diaphyseal fractures of the forearm bones in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 10. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008775] - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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