چكيده لاتين :
Background: The treatment of open tibial fractures is still an
orthopaedic cha llenge and full of compl icat ions. In many
cases the use of external fixator that has been known as a nonunion
machine is obligatory with a high incidence of pin track
infection and other complicat ions. The aim of this study was
to compare the use of extern al fi xation as a definite method
for treatment of open tibial fracture s with its subsequent convers
ion to internal fixation or casting.
Methods: Sixty-seven young patients with type III open tibial
fractures (Gusti lo-A nderson classification) were treated with half
pin external fixation. Twenty of them were convert ed into internal
fi xation after a period of 6-8 weeks. For another twenty-fi ve.
external fixator was removed and treatment continued with casting
for a period lasting from 16 to 20 weeks. And for twenty two
patients the fixator continued until complete union. The patients
followed up for 10-16 months and were evaluated in terms of
union time, union rate, infection, range of motion, malunion,
non-union, nerve injury, and reduction.
Results: There was a meaningful difference only in the union
time and superficial infection between the first grou p and the
other two groups.
Conclusion: The conversion of external to internal fixation can
be considered as a safe, effec tive, Jess complicated, and more
acce ptable method for the treatment of open tibial fractu res.
