http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/95-B/12/1714.abstract

The treatment of stable paediatric forearm fractures using a cast that may be removed at home

Comparison with traditional management in a randomised controlled trial

1. L. Hutchings, MB BChir in Clinical Medicine, MRCS, Clinical Research Fellow1;
2. E. Tutton, PhD, MSc, RN, Senior Research Fellow1;
3. E. Hodson, MA, BM BChir, FRCA, Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow2;
4. C. H. Smith, MBChB, BSc, MRCGP, Portfolio GP1;
5. J. Wakefield, FRCR, BMBS, BMedSci, Radiologist3;
6. B. Gray, RN, BA Palliative Care, Research Nurse1;
7. S. Symonds, RN, Research Nurse1; and
8. K. Willett, FRCS, Professor of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery, National Director for Acute Episodes of Care, NHS England1

+ Author Affiliations

1. ¹Kadoorie Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
2. ²Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
3. ³The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, Department of Radiology, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.

1. Correspondence should be sent to Mr T. W. Hamilton; e-mail:thomas.hamilton@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

Resumen

Hemos investigado si, en el tratamiento de las fracturas pediátricas estables del antebrazo, moldes flexibles que se pueden quitar en casa son tan clínicamente efectiva, rentable y aceptable para el paciente y de los padres como de gestión utilizando un elenco eliminado convencionalmente en el hospital. Un centro único ensayo controlado aleatorio se realizó en 317 niños con una edad media de 9,3 años (2-16). No se observaron diferencias significativas en el cambio en la puntuación del índice de Infancia Health Assessment Questionnaire (p = 0,10) o puntuaciones de dominio EuroQol 5-Dimensiones entre los dos grupos una semana después de la extracción del yeso o las puntuaciones absolutas a los seis meses. Hubo un coste de tratamiento significativamente menor global media en el grupo cuyos moldes fueron retirados en el hogar (£ 150,88 (sem 1.90) vs £ 251,62 (sem 2,68), p <0,001). No se observaron diferencias en la satisfacción entre los dos grupos (p = 0,48).

Abstract

We investigated whether, in the management of stable paediatric fractures of the forearm, flexible casts that can be removed at home are as clinically effective, cost-effective and acceptable to both patient and parent as management using a cast conventionally removed in hospital. A single-centre randomised controlled trial was performed on 317 children with a mean age of 9.3 years (2 to 16). No significant differences were seen in the change in Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire index score (p = 0.10) or EuroQol 5-Dimensions domain scores between the two groups one week after removal of the cast or the absolute scores at six months. There was a significantly lower overall median treatment cost in the group whose casts were removed at home (£150.88 (sem 1.90) vs £251.62 (sem 2.68); p < 0.001). No difference was seen in satisfaction between the two groups (p = 0.48).

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1714–20.

Footnotes

• No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
  This article was primary edited by J. Scott and first-proof edited by D. Rowley.

• Received November 16, 2012.
• Accepted August 27, 2013.

• ©2013 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery