Unilateral external fixation until healing with the dynamic axial fixator for severe open tibial fractures

J L Marsh; J V Nepola; T K Wuest; D Osteen; K Cox; W Oppenheim

doi:10.1097/00005131-199109000-00014

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$Unilateral external fixation until healing with the dynamic axial fixator for severe open tibial fractures$

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Unilateral external fixation until healing with the dynamic axial fixator for severe open tibial fractures

J L Marsh, J V Nepola, T K Wuest, D Osteen, K Cox and W Oppenheim

Journal of orthopaedic trauma, Vol.5(3), pp.341-348

1991

DOI: 10.1097/00005131-199109000-00014

PMID: 1941318

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Abstract

One hundred one cases of open tibia fractures were treated until healing with a unilateral external fixation device that permits fracture site compression with weight bearing. There were 38 type II and 63 type III (24 IIIA, 33 IIIB, six IIIC) open fractures. A standard protocol was followed including irrigation and debridement and, when necessary, flap coverage (19 cases) and bone grafting (31 cases). Fixators were applied at the first debridement and removed when the fracture was healed. All patients were permitted early partial weight bearing and progressed to full weight bearing with fixator dynamization. Ninety-six cases healed in the fixator (12-50 weeks; average, 24.6). Three of the five failures were associated with screw complications. Five patients required screw changes and 29 required oral antibiotic therapy for screw complications. Ninety-five percent of healed cases had angulation of less than 10 degrees (in any plane). There were only six fracture site infections during the course of treatment. Dynamic axial fixation may be applied at the first debridement and be used until healing in severe open tibia fractures. Change of the fixator to another treatment method is not required.

Radiography

Postoperative Complications - etiology

Humans

Middle Aged

Tibial Fractures - diagnostic imaging

Clinical Protocols

Male

Equipment Design

Debridement

Tibial Fractures - surgery

External Fixators

Adolescent

Bone Transplantation

Adult

Female

Aged

Early Ambulation

Child

Fractures, Open - surgery

Tibial Fractures - rehabilitation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Unilateral external fixation until healing with the dynamic axial fixator for severe open tibial fractures
Creators: J L Marsh - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Orthopaedics, Iowa City 52242
J V Nepola
T K Wuest
D Osteen
K Cox
W Oppenheim
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of orthopaedic trauma, Vol.5(3), pp.341-348
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1097/00005131-199109000-00014
PMID: 1941318
ISSN: 0890-5339
eISSN: 1531-2291
Language: English
Date published: 1991
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Record Identifier: 9984040220202771

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