External fixation has gained acceptance as
the preferred method of early stabilization for
open tibial fractures.
Material and Methods:
Unilateral uniplanar A01 ASIF external
fixator was used to treat 42 open tibialfractures
in 40 cases (2 cases were bilateral) as a primary
and definitive method of treatment. According
to the system of Gustilo et at, 10 fractures
(24%) were grade II and 32 (76%) were grade
III (18 grade !HA and 14 grade IHB). The safe
corridor described by Behrens and Searls
(1986) was used for fixator application and
the mean follow-up period was 16 months.
Results:
Union was achieved in 95% offractures at an
average time 20 weeks (12 — 36 weeks) with a
5% incidence of nonunion. A good range of knee
and ankle motion was achieved at the final
follow-up visit. The incidence of complication
was not high mainly malunion (7.8%), minor
pin tract infection (32.5%) and major pin tract
infection (7.5%). Full weight bearing with the
external fixator in place was permitted at a
mean of 10 weeks.