PURPOSE To evaluate the radiographic and clinical results of severe open tibial shaft fracture treated by hybrid external fixation and limited internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed 25 patients open tibial shaft fracture(> or =Gustillo classification type II) which were treated with hybrid external fixation(AnyFixR) that was invented by authors and limited internal fixation between June 1998 to June 2001. 20 males and 5 females were minimum follow up period of 12 months(12-27 months). The mean age was 45 old years(11-72 old years). The results were based on the assessment radiographical analysis with duration of bony union, delayed union including of states of nonunion and malunion, clinical analysis with pain, joint range of motion, wound infection and skin & soft tissue coverage. All fractures were classified according to the Gustilo classification, there were 6 cases of type II, 9 cases of type IIIa and 10 cases of type IIIb. The cause of injury, there were 18 cases of motor vehicle accident, 5 cases of direct trauma and 2 cases of fall from height. RESULTS In twenty-five cases, fifteen had union, the average time of bone union was 6.8 months and additional bone graft without change of external fixator performed in ten cases, but one case have failed and then change of intramedullary nail with bone graft. In the group of bone graft, bone union was completed at mean 8.7 months. According to the clinical analysis, no pain in the fracture site, in complications, there were 2 cases of mild joint range of motion that has acceptable result and 2 cases of wound infection were treated with effective antibiotics theraphy and wound dressing. Five cases need to coverage of the open wound, 3 cases were flap operation and each case were muscle transfer, skin graft without change of external fixator. CONCLUSION The use of hybrid external fixation and limited internal fixation in severe open tibial shaft fracture to be successful for the stabilization of fracture and subsequent plastic and/or orthopaedic procedure for muscle and skin coverage, bone grafting are more easily accomplished without change of external fixator.
The intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia-so called pilon fracture or plafond fracture- were caused by high energy and axial compression forces arising from motor vehicle accidents or falls from a height, and it is frequently associated with severe vomminution and soft tissue injury. Expecially soft tissue injury has been considered as a difficult problems to treat these fractures and there has been many controversies in the methods of treatment. We analized 30 cases of pilon fracture who were treated by limited internal fixation from March 1992 to March 1997. the average follow up period was 26 months(from 15 to 50 months). The results as follow: 1. According to Ruedi and Allgower classification, Type I were 4(13%), Type II were 14(46%) and Type III were 12(40%) cases. 2. By using Ovadia and Beals' radiologic assessment, limited internal fixation showed good and fair results in about 80% of cases. 3. By using Mast and Teipner's clinical functional assessment, limited internal fixation showed good and fair reults in about 80% of cases. 4. Complications after operation were traumatic arthritis(17%) and nonunion(3.3%). But there were no complications such as wound infection and skin necrosis. Limited internal fixation with casting provides good result to treat pilon fractures and it reduces the complications of soft tissues problem.
High energy tibial plateau fractures are associated with wevere articular depression, separation of both condyles, diaphyseal comminution and dissociation & loss of integrity of the soft tissue envelop. Thus it is very difficult to treat these fractures satisfactorily and severe complications may be developed. Authors carried out plate and screw fixation in 11 patients and external fixation(Ilizarov external fixator) with limited internal fixation in 8 patientsl who sustained high-energy tibial plateau fracture between Jan. 1992 and Feb. 1996. We compared the operative results of plate and screw fixation and external fixation with limited internal fixation in high-energy tibial plateau fractures which was follow up from 12months to 28months. The results were as follows; 1. The complications such as limitation of knee motion(3 cases), traumatic arthritis(1 case), angular deformity(2 cases), superficial infection(2 cases), deep infection(1 case), instability(1 case) were observed in plate fixation group. Limitation of knee motion(1 case), traumatic arthritis(1 case), delayed union(1 case) were developed in external fixation group. 2. According to Blokker's criteria, 6 cases(55%) among 11cases of plate and screw fixation group and 5 cases(63%) among 8 cases of Ilizarov external fixator group had satisfactory results.
Ilizarov external fixation with limited internal fixation is useful method of treatment for high-energy tibial plateau fractures when extensive dissection and internal fixation are contraindicated due to comminution at the fracture site and compromise of the soft tissue.
The intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia has been the most difficult problem due to severe comminution of itself, little bone mass and poor circulation of soft tissue. Recently limited internal fixation with hybrid external fixation has been reported to provide a good clinical results for the severely commnuted or open pilon fractures as a AO type C3.
From February 1994 to February 1996, the authors analyzed the clincal and radiological results of 2 year follow-up in 7 cases of the AO type C3 pilon fractures who were treated with combination of limited internal fixation and hybrid externalfixation. 6 cases had good or excellent clinical and radiological results without any serious complications such as skin sloughs, skin infection, malunion and nonunion, but one case had a nonunion who were treated with internal fixation and autogenous iliac bone graft. We believe that the combination of limited internal fixation and hybrid external fixation that does not cross the ankle joint, provides the good clinical results in AO type C3 pilon fractures by early ankle joint motion.
Pilon fracture is relatively an uncommon fracture involving the distal tibial articular surface. As usually being combined with many complications, it is difficult to manage. Among many treatment options limited internal fixation of the tibia with long screws and multiple pins augmented with external fixation or casting provide adequate stabilization without soft tissue compromise. Fractures were defined as type II in 10 fractures and type III in 16 by Ruedi-Allgowers classification. 16 fractures, 6 type II and 10 type III, had limited internal fixation and cast application. 1 type III fracture had limited internal and external fixation. 9 fractures, 4 type II and 5 type III, were treated by rigid tibial plating during a period of 5 years(Mar. 1990- Fed. 1995). By Burwells and Charnleys radiological criteria and clinical grading system, limited internal fixation showed 67% satisfactory results in type II and 64% in type III fractures while rigid tibial plating showed 75% satisfactory results in type II and 60% in type III fractures. 4(44%) patients with rigid tibial plating, and 2(12%) patients with limited internal fixation had complications. Pilon fractures are high energy injuries with significant associated soft tissue damage. limited internal fixation offers good solution to this difficult fracture problem.
Techniaue of biologic fixation and external fifation are playing an crucial role in the management of the severe comminuted fracture with soft tissue injuries.
To evaluate the treatment of severe pilon fracture by a conbination internal and external fixation, five high Pilon fractures with open or severs soft tissue injries were treated by a medial external fixator with an articulated ankle hinge(EBI) and limited internal flxation. Two AO C2 fractures and three AO C3 fractures were followed for a minimum of 1 year. All fractures united and had good functional results without any serious complication.
We believe that external fixation and limited internal fixation using biologic principle is an excellent alternative method in high energy, complex fracture with diaphyseal comminution.