PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the functional outcome and propose the guidelines in the surgical treatment of open type III tibial fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have analyzed the treatment results of 44cases; age was ranged from 15 to 76 years, and there were 35 males and 7 females. The type of fracture according to the classification by Gustilo revealed type IIIa 14 cases, type IIIb 20 cases and type IIIc in 8 cases. We analyzed functional outcome according to the classification of functional result by Tucker. RESULTS The average union time of type IIIa was 9.2 months, IIIb 11.0 months, and IIIc was 13.8 months. The rotational flap and free flap were done during treatment and bone lengthening especially in type IIIc. Functional results were poor especially in type IIIc. CONCLUSION Debridement of devitalized tissue, early soft tissue coverage and sufficient stability using intramedullary nails will be necessary in type IIIa fracture. Rigid external fixation, early soft tissue coverage by rotational muscle flap and free flap reduced infection rate with satisfactory functional outcome especially in type IIIb and IIIc fractures.
In general, severe open fractures of the tibial shaft have been treated initially with external fixation. However, despite many refinements in this technique, it has been associated with numerous complications, including problems at the sites of pins, non-union, delayed union, malunion, and infection. The purpose of this retrospective study is to analyze the results in a consecutive series of patients. There were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of the 44.9 years(range, 26-64 years). The mean follow up period was 23.2 nibtgs(range, 34-120 days). Free flap procedures were performed on all patients. The average time between removal of the fixator and intramedullary nailing was 16.5 days(range, 11-26 days). Indication of conversion to nailing was abscence of any serous discharge, reddness or local heating around pin-sites and normal renge of laboratory data. All 10 fractures had united with additional bone graft in 7 cases. The most frequent complications were delayed union in 7 cases and infection(superficial infection: 6 cases, osteomyelitis: 1 case) after IM nailing. We concluded that pin-tract infection is the major cause of infection after IM nail, but duration of external fixation and time interval(between removal of external fixator and nailing) are not isolated factors.
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