Cited 7 times since 2013 (0.6 per year) source: EuropePMC Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, Volume 133, Issue 10, 17 3 2013, Pages 1407-1414 Early conversion to below-elbow cast for non-reduced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children is safe: preliminary results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Colaris JW, Reijman M, Allema JH, Biter LU, Bloem RM, van de Ven CP, de Vries MR, Kerver AJ, Verhaar JA
Introduction
This multicentre randomised controlled trial was designed to explore whether 6 weeks above-elbow cast (AEC) or 3 weeks AEC followed by 3 weeks below-elbow cast (BEC) cause similar limitation of pronation and supination in non-reduced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children.
Materials and methods
Children were randomly allocated to 6 weeks AEC or to 3 weeks AEC followed by 3 weeks BEC. The primary outcome was limitation of pronation and supination after 6 months. The secondary outcomes were re-displacement of the fracture, complication rate, limitation of flexion and extension of wrist and elbow, cast comfort, cosmetics, complaints in daily life and assessment of radiographs.
Results
A group of 23 children was treated with 6 weeks AEC and 24 children with 3 weeks AEC and 3 weeks BEC. The follow-up rate was 98 % with a mean follow-up of 7.0 months. The mean limitation of pronation and supination was 23.3 ± 22.0 for children treated with AEC and 18.0 ± 16.9 for children treated with AEC and BEC. The other study outcomes were similar in both groups.
Conclusions
Early conversion to BEC is safe in the treatment of non-reduced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children.
Level of evidence
Multicentre randomised controlled trial, Level II.
