Procedural Sedation With Ketamine Versus Propofol for Closed Reduction of Pediatric Both Bone Forearm Fractures

Effective treatment of pediatric both bone forearm fractures consists of timely restoration of anatomic alignment with manipulation and immobilization, often accomplished with the aid of procedural sedation in the emergency department setting. The current lack of consensus regarding a safe and optimal regimen may result in inadequate sedation, compromised quality of reduction, or patient harm. The current study was conducted to answer the following questions for pediatric both bone forearm fractures treated with closed reduction with either ketamine or propofol procedural sedation: (1) Is there a difference in the rate of unacceptable alignment 4 weeks after reduction? (2) Is there a difference in the rates of major sedation-related complications? Medical records, data on procedural sedation, and radiographs of 74 skeletally immature patients with diaphyseal or distal metaphyseal both bone forearm fractures treated with manipulation were reviewed (ketamine sedation, 26; propofol sedation, 48). Rates of unacceptable alignment for the 2 cohorts were similar both immediately after reduction and at 4 weeks. Rates of complications of procedural sedation did not differ between cohorts. The duration of procedural sedation was longer and the padding index was greater with ketamine. Malalignment after reduction was more likely in older patients and those with a higher padding index. Although no difference was found in the rates of malalignment or sedation-related complications between fractures reduced with ketamine or propofol sedation, the sedation regimens differ in both procedural duration and padding index. Careful consideration of the risks and benefits of procedural sedation for closed reduction of pediatric forearm fractures is warranted.