DIAPHYSEAL FRACTURES OF THE FEMUR IN CHILDREN, SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Fractures of the femur in young ages, both diaphyseal, intertrochanteric and femoral neck, are usually associated with high energy mechanisms. The treatment of femoral diaphysis fractures in children is controversial because the procedures used in adults are not applicable in the growth period. Objective: to detail the current information related to femoral diaphyseal fractures in children, generalities, epidemiology, mechanism of production, physiopathology, characteristics of consolidation, treatment and complications. Methodology: a total of 34 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 21 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant to this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: diaphyseal fractures, femur fractures in children, femur fractures, treatment of fractures in children, child trauma. Results: Femoral diaphysis fractures are more common in males with a 3 to 1 ratio. According to age, 11 percent involve children under 2 years old, 21 percent involve children between 3 to 5 years old, 33 percent between 6-12 years old and 35 percent between 13-18 years old. The incidence of exposed fractures is relatively low, being approximately less than 5%. Conclusions: the management of femur fractures in children is still controversial, so that at present we do not have a general consensus on the ideal treatment, nor is there an effective treatment method that ensures the treatment of all fractures. Each of the various types of treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. The therapeutic alternative chosen will be based on the clinical stability of the affected individual, as well as on the characteristics of the fracture, diameter of the medullary cavity and weight of the individual. KEY WORDS: children, fractures, trauma, diaphysis, femur.