Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures

BackgroundFemoral shaft fractures in adolescents are commonly treated with either antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) or lateral plate (LP) fixation. This study compared the clinical outcomes of these two methods.MethodsAdolescent patients with femoral shaft fractures were randomly assigned to ei...

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Main Authors: Jian Huang, Yiqun Bian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1614146/full
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author Jian Huang
Yiqun Bian
author_facet Jian Huang
Yiqun Bian
author_sort Jian Huang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundFemoral shaft fractures in adolescents are commonly treated with either antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) or lateral plate (LP) fixation. This study compared the clinical outcomes of these two methods.MethodsAdolescent patients with femoral shaft fractures were randomly assigned to either the AIN group (n = 62) or the LP group (n = 62). Surgical parameters, early recovery metrics, levels of inflammatory cytokines, pain mediators, and bone metabolism markers were assessed.ResultsThe AIN group had significantly shorter incision lengths (6.8 vs. 8.5 cm, p < 0.001) and lower intraoperative blood loss (120 vs. 170 ml, p < 0.001) compared to the LP group. AIN patients began weight-bearing activities earlier (34 vs. 47 days, p < 0.01). Three months post-operation, the AIN group showed superior proximal femoral geometry and hip function, with a higher non-arthritic hip score (NAHS, 87 vs. 75, p < 0.001). One-week post-operation, the AIN group had lower serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators, indicating a reduced inflammatory response and less postoperative pain.ConclusionsAIN offers significant advantages over LP in treating adolescent femoral shaft fractures, including reduced surgical trauma, faster early recovery, lower inflammatory response, less postoperative pain, and enhanced bone healing.
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spelling doaj-art-09306a48059e4fc79980e211b1d2e1e42025-08-20T02:40:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2025-07-011210.3389/fsurg.2025.16141461614146Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fracturesJian HuangYiqun BianBackgroundFemoral shaft fractures in adolescents are commonly treated with either antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) or lateral plate (LP) fixation. This study compared the clinical outcomes of these two methods.MethodsAdolescent patients with femoral shaft fractures were randomly assigned to either the AIN group (n = 62) or the LP group (n = 62). Surgical parameters, early recovery metrics, levels of inflammatory cytokines, pain mediators, and bone metabolism markers were assessed.ResultsThe AIN group had significantly shorter incision lengths (6.8 vs. 8.5 cm, p < 0.001) and lower intraoperative blood loss (120 vs. 170 ml, p < 0.001) compared to the LP group. AIN patients began weight-bearing activities earlier (34 vs. 47 days, p < 0.01). Three months post-operation, the AIN group showed superior proximal femoral geometry and hip function, with a higher non-arthritic hip score (NAHS, 87 vs. 75, p < 0.001). One-week post-operation, the AIN group had lower serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators, indicating a reduced inflammatory response and less postoperative pain.ConclusionsAIN offers significant advantages over LP in treating adolescent femoral shaft fractures, including reduced surgical trauma, faster early recovery, lower inflammatory response, less postoperative pain, and enhanced bone healing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1614146/fulladolescent femoral shaft fracturesantegrade intramedullary nailingbone healinginflammationlateral plate fixation
spellingShingle Jian Huang
Yiqun Bian
Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
Frontiers in Surgery
adolescent femoral shaft fractures
antegrade intramedullary nailing
bone healing
inflammation
lateral plate fixation
title Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
title_full Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
title_fullStr Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
title_full_unstemmed Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
title_short Comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
title_sort comparative analysis of adolescent intramedullary nailing and locking plate fixation for femoral shaft fractures
topic adolescent femoral shaft fractures
antegrade intramedullary nailing
bone healing
inflammation
lateral plate fixation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2025.1614146/full
work_keys_str_mv AT jianhuang comparativeanalysisofadolescentintramedullarynailingandlockingplatefixationforfemoralshaftfractures
AT yiqunbian comparativeanalysisofadolescentintramedullarynailingandlockingplatefixationforfemoralshaftfractures