Background: We hypothesize that after successful closed reduction of pediatric greenstick fractures of the forearm, there is a low rate of lost reduction requiring intervention. By reducing the frequency of clinical and radiographic follow-up, we can reduce costs and radiation exposure.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients aged 2 to 16 years treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization for greenstick fractures of the forearm at our institution between 2003 and 2013. The primary endpoint was a healed fracture with acceptable alignment at the final radiographic evaluation. Time-derived activity-based costing was used for cost analysis. We estimated radiation exposure in consultation with our hospital's radiation safety office.
Results: One hundred and nine patients with an average age of 6.9 years (range, 2 to 15 y) met the inclusion criteria. The initial maximal fracture angulation of the affected radius and/or ulna averaged 19.3 (SD=±8.7) degrees (range, 2 to 55 degrees). Patients were followed for an average of 60 days (range, 19 to 635 d). On average, patients received 3.6 follow-up clinical visits and 3.5 sets of radiographs following immediate emergency department care. Ninety-four percent of patients met criteria for acceptable radiographic alignment. Only 1 patient (0.9%; 95% confidence interval, 0.2%-5.0%) underwent rereduction, as determined by the treating physician. If clinical follow-up were limited to 2 visits and 3 sets of radiographs total, there would be a 14.3% reduction in total cost of fracture care and a 41% reduction in radiation exposure.
Conclusions: This retrospective study suggests that pediatric greenstick fractures of the forearm rarely require intervention after initial closed reduction. We propose that 2 clinical follow-up visits and 3 sets of radiographs would reduce overall care costs and radiation exposure without compromising clinical results.
Level of evidence: Level IV-economic and decision analyses.