The Management of Pediatric Open Forearm Fractures

Abstract

Open pediatric forearm fractures are common injuries that present to emergency departments across the United States. A total of 32% to 80% of all open pediatric fractures involve the forearm. Standard treatment for these injuries includes prompt intravenous antibiotic administration, tetanus prophylaxis, and usually bedside irrigation as a temporizing measure. Gustilo and Anderson type 2 and 3 open pediatric forearm fractures are generally managed with formal irrigation and debridement and fracture stabilization in the operating room. Management of Gustilo and Anderson type 1 open pediatric forearm fractures is not standardized, and level I evidence is currently lacking. Based on the existing data available, early antibiotic administration, bedside irrigation, and fracture stabilization in the emergency department may be a safe and effective initial treatment for these injuries, conferring a low risk for subsequent infection.

Keywords: Forearm; Gustilo-Anderson; management; pediatric.