Ilizarov external
fixator for open fractures of the tibial
shaft
G. Hosny and M. Fadel
Accepted:
15 May 2003 Published
online: 17 June 2003
Abstract Between
December 1993 and 1999 we treated 34 open tibial
diaphyseal fractures. Thirty patients were
available for evaluation with a mean follow-up
after fracture union of 40.5 (24–80) months.
Patient average age was 33.1 (15–71) years.
Two fractures were grade I, 16 grade II, six
grade IIIA, five grade IIIB and one grade IIIC.
The wound was debrided and the bone fixed with
Ilizarov device. Soft-tissue healing was
achieved through Z-plasty, delayed primary
closure, split-thickness skin grafting, pedicle
flaps and skin traction, and all fractures
united with an average 5.6 (3–15.4) months. In
28 patients the results were excellent and good,
in one fair and in one poor. Despite numerous
complications the use of Ilizarov external
fixator provides initial and definitive fracture
stability
