TITLE:
Osteosynthesis in Children at the University Hospital of Brazzaville: About 154 Cases and Review of the Literature
AUTHORS:
Caryne Mboutol-Mandavo, Moïse Service Yanguedet, Rhodia Bosséba Missengui, Erica Nuptia Akobande, Jean-Claude Miérét
KEYWORDS:
Bone, Child, Fractures, Osteosynthesis, Pinning, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Fractures in children are most often treated orthopedically; however, when surgical treatment is necessary, the choice of material must be adapted. The aim of this study was to report on the different methods of osteosynthesis used in children in our setting and to review the literature. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection carried out from January 2022 to December 2024 in the pediatric surgery department of the University Hospital of Brazzaville. All children under 18 years of age who had undergone osteosynthesis for a traumatic injury (fracture or epiphyseal detachment) were included. Results: We recorded 154 cases of osteosynthesis performed for fractures, representing 6.1% of the surgical procedures performed in the department. The cases were predominantly male, with a sex ratio of 2.4. The average age was 9.6 years (extremes 4 and 18 years). Play accidents (47.2%), road accidents (29.1%) and sports-related accidents (16.7%) were the most common. The injuries concerned the thoracic limb in 56.3% of cases and the pelvic limb in 43.7%, and were represented by fractures in 135 cases (87.7%) and epiphyseal detachments in 19 cases (12.3%). These occurred mainly on the humerus and femur, with 45.8% and 28.5% respectively. Fractures of the femoral shaft (48.1%) and supracondylar fractures of the humerus (43%) were the most frequently treated by osteosynthesis. The average time taken to perform osteosynthesis was 10.7 days (range 1 to 62 days). Pinning (59.8%) and intramedullary nailing (26.6%) was most frequently performed. The average hospital stay was 13.2 days (range 2 to 60 days). Conclusion: Fractures in children may require surgical treatment, and the choice of osteosynthesis material is essential.