Tibia Fractures Treated With The External Fixator

Jang, Jong Ho; Cha, Seung Gyun; Kim, Kyoung Hoon; Kang, Jeon Oh

Abstract

The use of external fixator is popular in the treatment of open tibial fracture, severe comminuted fracture and segmental fracture, which minimizes further soft tissue injury and provides rigie fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine the complications and effectiveness of external fixation for treating the fractures of tibia. 33 patients with tibial fracture had been treated with external fixator from April 1993 to April 1994 at the orthopaedic department of Kang Dong Catholic General Hospital. We analysed 23 cases(21 patients) which could be followed up more than 12 months. The results were as follows; 1. Average duration with external fixator was 15.1 weeks. 2. Average time of bone union was 22.9 weeks. 3. 6 cases of pin tract infection were developed and they were treated with curettage and drainage, local antibiotics therapy, pin translation, or removal of external fixator. 4. The delayed union were developed in 5 cases, angulation deformity in 1 case, chronic osteomyelitis in 2 cases and soft tissue defect in 1 case. 5. Secondary operations caused by delayed union, valgus deformity, skin defect and bone exposure, were performed in 6 cases. 6. The use of external fixator provided good result in open fracture, intraarticular comminuted fracture, segmental fracture, and multiple injury, but chronic osteomyelitis and articular stiffness were developed in some cases.