The role of external fixation in trauma

Abstract

External fixation is a method of immobilization that uses percutaneous pins placed in bone and linked with external connectors to maintain the fracture segments in a desired spatial relationship. It is a valuable clinical treatment option, providing surgeons with the ability to affect the spatial relationship of tissues, both statically and dynamically, via minimally invasive techniques. The ease and speed of application, adjustability of the frame, and minimization of blood loss with preservation of blood supply at the cutaneous and osseous levels are advantages of the external fixation technique. Care of the trauma patient remains one of the major applications for external fixation. Open fractures with severe soft tissue injuries and/or massive contamination are ideally suited to this technique. External fixation is also a versatile salvage technique for the complications arising from extremity trauma. The management of residual fracture deformity, bone loss, infections, and complex post-traumatic arthritis are often facilitated by external fixation.

Exercise running and tetracycline as means to enhance skeletal muscle stem cell performance after external fixation

“…To achieve relevance to clinical and physiological situations we used external fixation (EF) as a model of limb immobilization. EF is a procedure used to treat unstable bone fractures, ligament ruptures, and degenerative diseases of joints (LaBianco et al, 1996; Pacheco and Saleh, 2004; Zhang, 2004; Ferreira et al, 2006). EF is known to inflict sustained inflammation and atrophy that are accompanied with elimination of nuclei from myofibers (Vescovo et al, 2000; Liu et al, 2005; Dupont‐Versteegden, 2006; Dupont‐Versteegden et al, 2006).…”

Ao External Fixator; A Treatment Option for Open Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures (Type Ii, Iiia)

“…We found wound infection in 10.0% of the cases. While Kumar P 18 and Ricardo J 19 reported 0% infection, S. Gopal etal 20 reported infection in 9.5% of the cases. There is not any patient of non union, while delay union was found in 5.0% of the cases in our series.…”

Toepassing van ilizarov-fixateur bij traumatisch letsel van het steun- en bewegingsapparaat

“…Tabel 2. Een fractuur van de humerus-of femurschacht is a priori minder geschikt vanwege de dikke wekedelenmantel, die een hogere kans op pengatinfecties geeft en dus op penloslating 5. 2 Alleen gecompliceerde tibiafracturen van graad-II en -III lijken er voordeel bij te hebben.…”