Alternative fixation method for open femoral fractures from a damage control orthopaedics perspective

Sequential reconstruction of complex femoral fractures with circular hybrid Sheffield frame in polytrauma patients

“…Despite the common use of the Sheffield in limb reconstruction today, current literature primarily involves the use of the Sheffield in the tibia [18]. Sala et al recently illustrated clinical study in which open femoral fracture was treated with TSF in DCO perspective [17]. Has et al [9] and Lerner [11] propagated the use of external fixation as the method of choice for open fractures, as is evident in the present study as well.…”

“…Recent evidence in literature has demonstrated good clinical outcomes and lack of complications from external fixation with severe femoral fractures [1,3,9]. Sala et al documented the effectiveness of immediate and complete definitive external fixation using Taylor spatial frames (TSF) in twelve polytrauma patients with open femoral fracture [17]. TSF is more cumbersome than the conventional Ilizarov frame, and the financial cost is comparatively high [7].…”

Taylor Spatial Frame Fixation in Patients With Multiple Traumatic Injuries

“…It is possible that this difference can be explained by the accuracy of the TSF to achieve anatomic fracture reduction with the 6 strut bars and the total residual deformity correction program. [6][7][8] External fixation in our study provided definitive stabilization in 5 Gustilo grade IIIC femoral fractures after vascular repair, achieving bone union.…”

“…Damage control external fixation was applied to 34 fractures (60%) by using a multiplanar or monolateral external fixator, and TSF was initially applied to treat 3 fractures (5%). 7 Twenty fractures (35%) underwent initial stabilization with a traction pin (skeletal traction) at the time of hospital admission. 18 The mean time interval between primary treatment and secondary TSF was 5 days (range, 1-28 days).…”

“…6 The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of the TSF in primary and definitive external fixation for patients with multiple injuries and open fractures of the lower limb. 7,8 …”