Minimally invasive plate fixation of paediatric lower limb long bone fractures: a review on when and how

Fractures of the lower limbs represent a common cause of hospital admission. Surgical intervention is increasingly indicated in paediatric patients. The gold standard for treating long bone fractures in the immature skeleton is intramedullary fixation with titanium elastic nails. Minimally invasive plating is considered a suitable option when elastic nailing is not feasible. The use of a plate provides adequate mechanical stability for weight-bearing and limb mobility while preserving biological bone integrity and resulting in limited scarring, generally well accepted by patients and families, although it requires a more extensive incision than intramedullary fixation. Potential drawbacks of this technique include a more extensive surgical approach, possible delay in weight-bearing, and the potential need for implant removal.