External Fixation of Extra-Articular Open Tibial Fractures

Abstract

Abstract External fixation is one of the most commonly used methods for the treatment of open tibial fractures. In everyday practice, for fixation of open tibial fractures we use the external fixator by Mitković. External fixator is unilateral and easy to use. This retrospective study included 59 patients with 59 open tibial fractures, of which 37 (62.71%) men and 22 (37.28 %) women, with mean age 43.92 (16-84) years. The fractures were localized in the proximal part of the tibia (11), tibial shaft (29) and distal part of the tibia (19). According to Gustilo classification, 12 (20.33 %) patients had Type I open tibial fractures, 15 (25.42%) patients had Type II open tibial fractures, and 32 (54.23%) (13 IIIA, 17 IIIB, 2 IIIC) patients had Type III open tibial fractures. The union rate without complications was 77.96 % (46). Nonunion and delayed union rate was 15.25 % (9). Malunion rate was 6.77% (4). Pin tract infection rate was 13.55 % (8). Compartment syndrome was observed in 5.08 % (3) of patients. The patients had fasciotomy done and the external fixator applied. The average time of fracture healing was 26 weeks (6.06 months). External fixation of open tibial fractures is a simple and effective method that enables the safe healing of fractures, early mobilization of patients, early weight-bearing as well as early rehabilitation.