Retrospective cohort study reveals excellent functional recovery after surgical repair in pediatric thigh lacerations, indicating prompt intervention safely allows full return to sports.
Key Points
To investigate the injury mechanisms, surgical management, and functional outcomes of open thigh muscular lacerations in skeletally immature patients.
Conducted a retrospective two-center cohort study evaluating skeletally immature patients (N=11; mean age 13.1 years, range 7–17) surgically treated for open thigh muscular tears.
Documented injury mechanisms, wound contamination, muscle involvement, and complications, assessing outcomes at a minimum 1-year follow-up using Pedi-IKDC, SKV, Tegner, and EQ-5D-5L metrics.
Sports accounted for 73% of injuries—predominantly sharp ski edges (55%)—with 64% (7/11) presenting with contaminated wounds and 55% involving the vastus lateralis.
At final follow-up, patients achieved a mean SKV of 93.5%, mean Pedi-IKDC of 97.6%, EQ-5D-5L of 100%, and mean Tegner score of 6.8 (range 4–9) with zero infections or reinjuries.