Hybrid Fixation for Paediatric Femoral Supracondylar Fracture during Circular External Fixation of the Lower Limb

Abstract

Aim

To describe the novel hybrid fixation technique for paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture during circular external fixation of the lower limb.

Background

The Ilizarov external fixator is commonly used for various orthopaedic conditions. Difficulties associated with external fixation have previously been described. A fall while using a circular external fixator can cause ipsilateral fracture. Such fractures are ideally treated conservatively, but it is difficult to fix the frame itself. No study has reported the treatment of paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture during circular external fixation. Herein, we describe a novel hybrid fixation technique that was successfully used to treat paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture in three paediatric patients with circular external fixators.

Technique

The fracture was manually manipulated and reduced by slight hyperextension of the lower extremity under general anaesthesia. After confirmation of good reduction, a stockinette, a cast padding, and a thin core cast were applied to the ipsilateral thigh. The hinge parts were attached to the medial and lateral sides of the proximal ring. The rods were connected to the medial and lateral hinges, and the half ring was connected to the ventral side of the proximal end. Under fluoroscopic confirmation, the thin core cast of the thigh and rods were connected by cast rolled in a figure-of-eight manner. The hinges were locked with the knee joint slightly flexed.

Conclusion

The minimally invasive hybrid fixation technique enables conservative treatment of paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture during circular external fixation of the lower limb with no complications, and early exercise and recovery.

Clinical significance

This novel hybrid fixation technique will be an effective method for paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture in patients with a circular external fixator.

How to cite this article

Oka Y, Kim W-C, Yoshida T, et al. Hybrid Fixation for Paediatric Femoral Supracondylar Fracture during Circular External Fixation of the Lower Limb. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2020;15(3):179–183.

Background

Circular external fixators, such as the Ilizarov external fixator, are used for treating open fractures,¹ limb lengthening,² and reconstruction after massive bone loss.³ Complications associated with limb lengthening have been reported previously.⁴ Common issues are muscle contractures, joint subluxation, neurological and vascular injuries, premature consolidation of the lengthened bone, pin site problems, and hardware failure. In addition, a fracture is a serious complication associated with the frame and after frame removal. The incidence of fracture, associated with a previous pin track or elsewhere, is as high as 5–18%.^5–7 However, an ipsilateral fracture during circular external fixation is rare, with an ipsilateral tibial stress fracture reportedly occurring in approximately 4% of adults when treated for Charcot foot.⁸ One study reported that fracture at a distant site after external fixation only occurred in 3 of 17 cases.⁶ The incidence or treatment of paediatric femoral supracondylar fracture during treatment with a circular external fixator on the tibia has not been reported previously.

In long-term circular external fixation for reconstruction of the tibia, tolerable weight-bearing is recommended to encourage bone maturation.⁹ However, this can lead to femoral supracondylar fracture if the patient falls during weight-bearing. In such cases, the treatment in adults is rigid internal fixation, such as locking plate fixation,¹⁰ because this achieves fracture healing in correct alignment and enables an early return to functional activity. In contrast, children with an open physis need other options for fracture fixation. Conservative treatment via cast immobilisation is difficult because of the presence of the circular external fixator.

Other options include surgical procedures, such as closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation,¹¹ titanium elastic intramedullary nailing,¹² extension of the external fixation,¹³ and open reduction and plate fixation.¹⁴ However, as healing of fractures around the metaphysis is relatively fast and predictable, noninvasive treatment is recommended when possible.

We report our experience with a novel hybrid fixation technique for femoral supracondylar fractures in paediatric patients who have a circular external fixator on the lower limb.

Technique

Hospital records were reviewed to identify paediatric patients with ipsilateral fractures of the femur during circular external fixation of the tibia (three patients, four femurs: Table 1). The mean age was 6 years and 7 months and the patient demographics are listed in Table 1. There were two patients who had fixation by an Ilizarov circular fixator for congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia and the third for bone transport using a Taylor Spatial Frame after resection of an Ewing's sarcoma. In all cases, the femoral supracondylar fracture was of a greenstick-type and flexed.

Table 1.

Patient demographics

Case	Age	Sex	Laterality	Diagnosis	Fixator	Duration (days)
1	3Y + 10	M	L	CPT	Ilizarov	44
1	9Y + 10	M	L	CPT	Ilizarov	34
2	9Y + 3	M	R	Ewing's sarcoma	Taylor spatial frame	21
3	3Y + 5	F	L	CPT	Ilizarov	41

CPT, congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia

Operative Technique

All operations were performed under general anaesthesia on a radiolucent table. The fracture was manipulated manually and reduced using mild hyperextension of the lower extremity. After fluoroscopic confirmation of good reduction on the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, a stockinette, a cast padding, and a thin cast using one cast roll was applied to the thigh. The hinge parts were then applied on the medial and lateral sides of the proximal ring. The positions of the hinges were aligned along the transepicondylar axis of the knee. Rods were then connected to the medial and lateral hinges, and a half ring connected to the ventral side of the proximal end to achieve good stability (Fig. 1). After fluoroscopic confirmation, the thin core cast of the thigh and rods were bound using two or three rolls of cast rolled in a figure-of-eight manner. The knee joint was fixed in a slightly flexed position, and the hinges were locked (Fig. 2). Postoperatively, active hip range of motion exercises were carried out as tolerated. Partial weight-bearing was permitted after confirmation of callus formation on plain radiography. At 2 or 3 weeks postoperatively, the hinges were loosened and knee range of motion exercise was started.

Figs 1A and B.

A thin core cast is applied to the thigh. The hinges, rods, and ventral side half ring are connected to the proximal ring

Figs 2A and B.

The core cast and rods are connected by a cast rolled in a figure-of-eight fashion. The hinges are locked with the knee joint slightly flexed

At confirmation of fracture union by radiographs, the cast, rods, and hinges were removed. The mean additional femoral fixation period was 35 days (range 21–44 days). All three patients quickly recovered their ability to perform activities of daily living, and there were no complications, such as loss of reduction, malunion (final anatomical posterior distal femoral angle (aPDFA): average 88.0°, range 87.3–88.4). The final knee range of motion was 0° in extension and 150° in flexion in all cases.

Case Descripition

Case 1 was a 9 years and 10 months-old boy with a left congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia. We performed a four-in-one procedure, with autologous bone graft and proximal limb lengthening. Five months postoperatively, he fell and incurred a left femoral supracondylar greenstick fracture. Under general anaesthesia, closed reduction and stabilisation was performed using the hybrid fixation method (Fig. 3). Callus formation around the fracture site was confirmed at 3 weeks post-operatively, and the medial and lateral hinges were loosened to allow range of motion exercise. Partial weight-bearing was encouraged as tolerated. The cast and rods were removed at 34 days postoperatively. Complete union was achieved with no deformity.

Figs 3A and B.

Case 1: Plain radiograph taken at the time of injury showing a left femoral supracondylar greenstick fracture treated via closed reduction and stabilisation

The knee range of motion was 0° to 150° at final examination (Fig. 4).

Figs 4A and B.

Solid union is achieved with no complications

Case 2 was a 9 years and 3 months-old boy with Ewing's sarcoma of the right distal tibia. He was first seen in our department aged 8 years and 1 month-old and underwent preoperative chemotherapy followed by wide resection. Reconstruction was performed by bone transport using a Taylor Spatial Frame. He fell and incurred a right femoral supracondylar fracture (Fig. 5). This fracture was reduced with slight hyperextension of the lower leg and stabilised via hybrid fixation. At 3 weeks postoperatively, the cast and rods were removed, and exercise was started. His range of motion of the knee was 0° in extension and 150° in flexion at final follow-up, with no evidence of malunion (Fig. 6).

Figs 5A and B.

Case 2: Plain radiograph taken at the time of injury showing a right femoral supracondylar fracture

Figs 6A and B.

Case 2: The right femoral supracondylar fracture is stabilised by hybrid fixation, with removal of the cast and rods after solid union is achieved at 21 days

Discussion

Although patients can fall while ambulating in a circular external fixator, sustaining an ipsilateral fracture is rare. Ipsilateral tibial stress fractures secondary to half-pin usage in adults have been reported. One study⁸ reported that stress fractures had occurred in 10 of 254 patients being treated for Charcot foot and in 3 patients after the application of an additional circular external fixator.

Limb lengthening and reconstruction methods, such as bone transport, take a long time for the maturation of the regenerated bone. Children with a circular external fixator during such treatment are encouraged to bear weight to promote such maturation.¹⁵

All three patients in the present series had femoral supracondylar greenstick fractures. The mechanism of this injury seems to be the restriction of knee flexion due to the frame itself. In addition, the restriction of ankle motion leads to gait disturbance, loss of balance, and increases the risk of falling. During a fall, the stress is concentrated in the distal femoral metaphysis, which results in a femoral supracondylar fracture.

A periprosthetic distal femoral fracture after a total knee arthroplasty is also relatively common; some studies have reported satisfactory outcomes for conservative treatment of such fractures.^16,17 Nasr et al.¹⁸ compared the outcomes of conservative and surgical management of adult supracondylar femoral fractures and concluded that conservative management tends to lead a poor functional result. Thus, adult supracondylar femoral fractures are treated surgically. A systematic review showed that periprosthetic distal femoral fractures are most successfully treated with a locking plate or intramedullary nail, and that the complication rate for locked plating is lower than that for intramedullary nailing.¹⁰

Paediatric supracondylar femoral fractures represent 12% of all paediatric femoral fractures. However, the treatment strategy for this fracture in children differs from that in adults. Paediatric fractures are often treated conservatively by casting or splinting because these fractures heal more quickly than adult fractures and children have a high capacity for remodelling.¹⁹ Several treatment methods have been used, such as skeletal traction, casting, percutaneous K-wire fixation,¹¹ titanium elastic nailing,¹² and locked plating.¹⁴ These supracondylar femoral fractures have been treated by closed reduction with percutaneous K-wire fixation and cast augmentation in young children, but this strategy may not provide adequate stability in larger children and is associated with some complications.²⁰ The overall incidence of refracture after external fixation for paediatric femoral fractures is estimated to be as high as 12%²¹ to 30%.²²

Fixation of a supracondylar femoral fracture by casting or splinting if the patient has a circular external fixator on the ipsilateral tibia is fraught with difficulty. One study reported the pin and plaster technique,¹¹ whereas another study reported use of an external fixator, but this resulted in complications.¹³ Furthermore, despite being percutaneous, both are still invasive procedures. Titanium elastic nailing has also been used,^12,23 while plate internal fixation is more invasive and can carry a risk of physeal damage, depending on the fracture type.^14,20

The novel hybrid fixation technique described in this study is a conservative treatment that does not require invasive surgery. Moreover, no special technique is required. Reduction is confirmed and maintained by fluoroscopy, and the knee position can be adjusted using the lateral hinges. Early knee range of motion exercise can be started after confirmation of fracture stability. This technique also prevents development of knee contractures and promotes early recovery.

The limitations of this novel hybrid fixation technique are that it is unclear whether it can be applied in large children over 12 years old who take a longer time to heal, or in patients with very unstable fractures.

Conclusion

A hybrid fixation technique for paediatric supracondylar femoral fractures is described for children who have circular external fixation on the tibia. This treatment has led to no complications, with an early return to exercise and recovery. The hybrid fixation technique is suited for younger patients and is minimally invasive, easy to perform, and provides adequate stability and a reliable outcome.

Additional Notes

We thank Kelly Zammit, BVSc, from Edanz Editing (www.edanzediting.com/ac), for editing a draft of this manuscript.

Ethics Approval

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Conset to Participate

Written informed consent was obtained from the patients’ guardians.

Conset to Publication

The patients’ guardians provided written informed consent for the publication this study. The images are completely anonymous, and the text does not carry any identifying information.