Treatment of proximal third femoral shaft fractures in children by intramedullary Kirschner wires

Objective: to evaluate intramedullary K-wire fixations a surgical technique in the management of closed fractures of the proximal femoral shaft in children. Design and Subjects: Retrospective study of 14 patients (10 boys and 4 girls) with closed fractures of the proximal femoral shaft treated by closed reduction and elastic stable intramedullary K-wire fixation inodistal metaphysis, one wire from each side. Early mobilization with weight bearing was allowed. The wires were removed 3-6 months (mean 5 months) post surgery. Setting: King Khalid University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: After a mean follow-up of eighteen months, all fractures have healed without relevant limb length discrepancy or residual angulation. Conclusion: Fractures of the proximal femoral shaft in children between 5 to 14 years can be successfully treated by closed reduction and intramedullary fixation using two thick K-wires.