J Korean Fract Soc.  2002 Apr;15(2):234-242. 10.12671/jksf.2002.15.2.234.

Treatment of Severe Open Fractures of Tibial Shaft: Comparison Between Ilizarov External Fixation and Secondary Intramedullary Nailing

• Cho HO
• Kwak KD
• Lee HJ
• Lim DH
• Ahn SM
• Chang JH
• Kang KK

• KMID: 1999404
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2002.15.2.234

Abstract

PURPOSE: We tried to compare the results of Ilizarov external fixation cases with the cases of secondary intramedullary nailing after tempory Ilizarov fixation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From the January 1996 to February 2001 , 34 cases of severe open tibial shaft fracture in adults were treated with Ilizarov external fixation and secondary intramedullary nailing after temporary Ilizarov fixation. According to Gustilo- Anderson classification, it consisted of type II 2 ,IIIA 7 ,IIIB 9 ,IIIC 2cases in Ilizarov group ,and type II 2, IIIA 7, IIIB 5cases in secondary intramedullary nailing group. RESULT: There was no significant difference in the union time of Ilizarov external fixation and secondary intramedullary nailing after temporary Ilizarov fixation. But the secondary nailed group had slightly better motion , less final angulation and felt more comfortable . It is the treatment preferred by patients and does not require the same high level of patient compliance as external fixation.
CONCLUSION
Secondary intramedullary nailing after temporary Ilizarov fixation is the useful method in the treatment of open fractures of tibia.

Keyword

Open tibial shaft fracture; Ilizarov; secondary intramedullary nailing

MeSH Terms

Adult
Classification
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Fractures, Open*
Humans
Patient Compliance
Tibia