Decision-Making Challenge of Ping-Pong Fractures in Children: Case Exemplification and Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

Ping-pong fractures have become less frequent, and no definite predictors to determine which fractures will elevate spontaneously and which should undergo surgical treatment have been clearly defined. Herein, the authors present a revision of the literature, in which 54 papers were included, with a total of 228 children studied. Patients who underwent surgery accounted for 30%; elevation through obstetrical vacuum or other aspiration systems was applied in 30%; and spontaneous resolution occurred in 40%; in 4 patients, percutaneous microscrew elevation was applied. Overall, in 96.4% of patients, the outcome was favorable because we found no significant increase in the incidence of post-traumatic seizures or neurologic sequelae with no significant differences between treated patients and spontaneous elevation. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences among the different treatment methods (P = 0.53). Our results suggest that simple compound ping-pong fractures without brain compression, hematomas, or dural tears could benefit from conservative management. In cases of nonspontaneous resolution after 6 months, operative strategies should be performed, considering that there is no evidence of differences between vacuum elevation and surgical elevation.

Keywords: Birth-related brain injuries; Pediatric surgery; Ping-pong fractures.