{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,20]],"date-time":"2026-08-20T15:39:57Z","timestamp":1787240397335,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]],"date-time":"2024-07-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1720569600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"University of P\u00e9cs, Medical School"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Pediatric forearm fractures represent a substantial proportion of childhood injuries, requiring effective and minimally invasive treatments. Our study investigated the mid-term outcomes of biodegradable poly-L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) intramedullary implants in managing diaphyseal forearm fractures in children. Methods: A follow-up cohort study was conducted with 38 patients treated with PLGA implants. Control examinations were performed one year post-operation, assessing bone healing through radiographic evaluations and functional outcomes using injured and uninjured limb range of motion (ROM) comparisons. Scarring was evaluated employing the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), and satisfaction via a questionnaire. Results: Children were predominantly female (76.4%), with a mean age of 9.71 (SD: 2.69) years. Effective fracture stabilization and bone healing were found in all patients, with a minor reduction (mean difference of \u22121.5\u00b0, p = 0.282) in elbow flexion on the operated side (139.3\u00b0) compared to the intact (140.8\u00b0). Elbow extension presented negligible average changes (0.2\u00b0, p = 0.098). Forearm movements were slightly reduced on the operated side (mean pronation: 80.8\u00b0 vs. 83.7\u00b0, p = 0.166; average supination: 83.5\u00b0 vs. 85.7\u00b0, p = 0.141). Wrist palmar flexion and dorsiflexion showed no significant differences. VSS ratings indicated minimal scarring (mean guardian and doctor scores were 1.13 and 0.55, respectively, p = 0.020), and all patients reported satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. Conclusions: Biodegradable implants are effective for pediatric forearm fractures, providing stable bone healing while preserving functional ROM with minimal scarring and high patient satisfaction. PLGA proved to be a viable alternative to traditional metal implants, eliminating secondary removal surgeries.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13144036","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]],"date-time":"2024-07-10T15:22:05Z","timestamp":1720624925000},"page":"4036","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Pediatric Diaphyseal Forearm Fracture Management with Biodegradable Poly-L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide (PLGA) Intramedullary Implants: A Longitudinal Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6705-3292","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aba","family":"L\u0151rincz","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Thermophysiology, Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of P\u00e9cs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"},{"name":"Institute of Information and Electrical Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of P\u00e9cs, Boszork\u00e1ny Street 2, 7624 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"},{"name":"Division of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, Urology and Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Complex, University of P\u00e9cs, 7 J\u00f3zsef Attila Street, 7623 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"\u00c1gnes M\u00e1ria","family":"Lengyel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, Urology and Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Complex, University of P\u00e9cs, 7 J\u00f3zsef Attila Street, 7623 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0567-3744","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andr\u00e1s","family":"Kedves","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Information and Electrical Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of P\u00e9cs, Boszork\u00e1ny Street 2, 7624 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5584-9410","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hermann","family":"Nudelman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Thermophysiology, Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of P\u00e9cs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"},{"name":"Division of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, Urology and Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Complex, University of P\u00e9cs, 7 J\u00f3zsef Attila Street, 7623 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3348-5385","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gerg\u0151","family":"J\u00f3zsa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Thermophysiology, Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of P\u00e9cs, 12 Szigeti Street, 7624 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"},{"name":"Division of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, Urology and Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Complex, University of P\u00e9cs, 7 J\u00f3zsef Attila Street, 7623 P\u00e9cs, Hungary"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e45","DOI":"10.1097\/BPO.0000000000000595","article-title":"Epidemiology of Pediatric Fractures Presenting to Emergency Departments in the United States","volume":"36","author":"Naranje","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. 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