Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Register      Login

VOLUME 19 , ISSUE 1 ( January-April, 2024 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

The Applicability of Dynamic External Fixator in a Prospective Evaluation of Open Tibial Fracture Treatment

Bruna S Bezerra, Thaisa A Araujo, Gustavo G Cardonia, João R Lima Couto, Fábio L Rodrigues

Keywords : Bone healing, Complications, Dynamic external fixator, Open tibia fractures, Surgical debridement

Citation Information : Bezerra BS, Araujo TA, Cardonia GG, Couto JR, Rodrigues FL. The Applicability of Dynamic External Fixator in a Prospective Evaluation of Open Tibial Fracture Treatment. 2024; 19 (1):36-39.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10080-1606

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 06-05-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: This prospective study assessed the clinical and radiological outcomes of open tibia fractures treated with a dynamic external fixator. Materials and methods: Twenty-five patients underwent surgical debridement and stabilisation with a dynamic external fixator between November 2016 and April 2022. Regular follow-up evaluated bone healing progression. Results: Favourable outcomes were demonstrated in 20 patients. However, there were three cases of non-union, two of which subsequently deformed, and two cases of pin site-related infection. There were no fracture site infections. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the use of dynamic external fixation in the treatment of open tibia fractures. The low incidence of complications suggests its effectiveness and potential.


PDF Share
  1. Tornetta P, Ricci MD. Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 9th edition. Filadélfia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019:517, 537, 563, 837–845.
  2. Bhandari M, Guyatt GH, Swiontkowski MF, et al. Treatment of open fractures of the shaft of the tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2001;83(1): 62–68. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.83b1.10986.
  3. Gustillo RB, Anderson JT. Prevention of infection in the treatment of one thousand and twenty-five open fractures of long bones: Retrospective and prospective analyses. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1976;58(4):453–458. PMID: 773941.
  4. Buckley RE, Moran CG, Apivatthakakul T. AO Principles of Fracture Management, 3rd edition. Davos Platz, Switzerland: AO Foundation; 2017:341–344, 901.
  5. Inan M, Halici M, Ayan I, et al. Treatment of type IIIA open fractures of tibial shaft with Ilizarov external fixator versus unreamed tibial nailing. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2007;127(8):617–623. DOI: 10.1007/s00402-007-0332-9.
  6. Kaftandziev I, Pejkova S, Saveski J. Operative treatment of III grade open fractures of the tibial diaphysis. Prilozi 2006;27(1):121–131. PMID: 16985486.
  7. Sultan S, Shah AA. Management of open tibial fractures at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2001;13(1):22–23. PMID: 11706634.
  8. Bhandari M, Zlowodzki M, Tornetta P, et al. Intramedullary nailing following external fixation in femoral and tibial shaft fractures. J Orthop Trauma 2005;19(2):140–144. DOI: 10.1097/00005131-200502000-00012.
  9. Thomas SR, Giele H, Simpson AH. Advantages and disadvantages of pinless external fixation. Injury 2000;31(10):805–809. DOI: 10.1016/s0020-1383(00)00131-5.
  10. Antich-Adrover P, Martí-Garin D, Murias-Alvarez J, et al. External fixation and secondary intramedullary nailing of open tibial fractures. A randomized, prospective trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1997;79(3): 433–437. PMID: 9180323.
  11. Rodrigues FL, de Abreu LC, Valenti VE, et al. Bone tissue repair in patients with open diaphyseal tibial fracture treated with biplanar external fixation or reamed locked intramedullary nailing. Injury 2014;45(Suppl 5):S32–S35. DOI: 10.1016/S0020-1383(14)70018-X.
  12. Moroni A, Cadossi M, Romagnoli M, et al. A biomechanical and histological analysis of standard versus hydroxyapatite-coated pins for external fixation. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2008;86(2):417–421. DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.31036.
  13. Beltsios M, Savvidou O, Kovanis J, et al. External fixation as a primary and definitive treatment for tibial diaphyseal fractures. Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstr 2009;4(2):81–87. DOI: 10.1007/s11751-009-0062-3.
  14. McKee MD, Yoo D, Schemitsch EH. Health status after Ilizarov reconstruction of post-traumatic lower limb deformity. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1998;80(2):360–364. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.80b2.8192.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.