We describe the technique and results of medial
submuscular plating of the femur in paediatric patients and discuss its
indications and limitations. Specifically, the technique is used
as part of a plate-after-lengthening strategy, where the period
of external fixation is reduced and the plate introduced by avoiding
direct contact with the lateral entry wounds of the external fixator
pins. The technique emphasises that vastus medialis is interposed
between the plate and the vascular structures. . A total of 16 patients (11 male and five female, mean age 9.6
years (5 to 17)), had medial submuscular plating of the femur. All
underwent distraction osteogenesis of the femur with a mean lengthening
of 4.99 cm (3.2 to 12) prior to plating. All patients achieved consolidation
of the regenerate without deformity. The mean follow-up was 10.5 months
(7 to 15) after plating for those with plates still in situ,
and 16.3 months (1 to 39) for those who subsequently had their plates
removed. None developed a deep infection. In two patients a proximal
screw fractured without loss of alignment; one patient sustained
a traumatic fracture six months after removal of the plate. . Placing the plate on the medial side is advantageous when the
external fixator is present on the lateral side, and is biomechanically
optimal in the presence of a
