Functional outcome of tibial fractures in children treated by supracutaneous locking plates

Background: Tibial shaft fractures are third most common type of long bone fractures in children after femur and forearm.Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the functional and radio logical outcome results of Closed reduction or open reduction of tibial fractures and fixation using locking plate as supra cutaneous external fixator in children.Methods: In this observational study 32 children with tibial fractures having soft tissue injury underwent external fixation with locking plates. There were 22 male and 10 female children with mean age of 10.59years (range 6 to 15 years) who sustained fracture in RTA. 84.4% cases had closed fractures, and 15.6% cases had open fractures. Out of the cases with open fractures, 60% had grade 1 injury, and 20% each had grade 2 and grade 3b injury respectively. Results: 7, 9, 11, 13 Holed LCP were used in 34.4%, 25%, 25% and 15.6% patients respectively. Screw tract infections were observed in two patients who had serious discharge and was relieved with oral antibiotics. No deep infections were reported. All the fractures united by the end of 24 weeks after bone grafting. In all most all the patients skin condition was found to be good in follow up.Conclusion: The present study though in small number (32) shows that use of LCP plate as supra cutaneous external fixator is an effective method in terms of stability of fixation, utilisation as permanent fixation method and less complication rate.