Abstract
Background: Initial management by external fixation is well-established but high incidence of pin tract infections, thermal necrosis of bone and potential of mal-union and non-union are the main complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the result of AO external fixator in open diaphysial fracture of tibia Gustilo type IIIA and IIIB.
Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Unit-I, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, from October 2010 to September 2012. Thirty patients with open diaphysial fracture of tibia Gustilo type IIIA and IIIB as assessed by pre-operative workup and operative findings were treated by AO external fixator. After admission, history, clinical examination, routine investigations and x-ray findings were noted. Data was entered in a proforma and analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: Out of 30 patients, 25(83.3%) were males and 5(16.7%) females; with male to female ratio of 5:1. The mean age was 34.75+5.8 years. Regarding mode of injury, 23(76.66%) patients sustained injury following road traffic accident, 6(20%) following fall and one (3.33%) with a firecracker injury. The type of fracture was Gastilo type-IIIA in 11(36.66%) and IIIB in 19(63.33%) cases. Regarding anatomical location of fracture, middle-third of the tibia in 18(60%), distal-third in 7(23.33%) and Proximal-third in 5(16.66%) cases. Complications seen were pin track infection in 2(6.66%), wound infection in 4(13.33%), non-union in one (3.33%), mal-union in one (3.33%) and delayed union in 3(10%) cases.
Conclusion: AO external fixator is simple and safe to apply and can be used as successful management of type III open tibial fractures confidently.
Mehtab Piwani, Irshad Ahmed Bhutto, Israr Ahmed. (2015) EVALUATION OF AO EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN DIAPHYSIAL FRACTURE OF TIBIA GUSTILO TYPE IIIA AND IIIB, Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences , Volume 13, Issue 1.
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