OPEN TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES

TREATMENT WITH EXTERNAL FIXATOR

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical results after
operative treatment of open tibia fractures (grade IIIA/B) with external fixator. Material and
methods: 25 patients with open fractures of the tibial diaphysis, classified as type III A and B,
according to the Gustilo classification, were operatively treated in Agency Headquarter Hospital
Landikotal. All the patients were treated with an external fixator. The time of the union of the
fracture, problems with the union (malunion and nonunion), infection were examined as
treatment outcome. Late complications and their treatment was not the object of the study. The
follow-up period was at least 8 months. Result: The end results of the external fixation of 25 tibial
shaft fractures, 18 (72%) men and 7 (28%) women, average age 37.7 (16-65). The union rate was
83%. Nonunion rate was 12%. And malunion rate was 5% (fig-I). Fifteen patients had Gustilo type
IIIA injury while 10 patients had type IIIB injury (fig-II). Pins tract infection rate was 10%. The
average time of fractures healing was 28.5 weeks (15-22). There were 3 cases with wound
infection and no sequestrum formation. Conclusions: External fixation is a simple and effective
means of treating all types of open tibial shaft fractures