ARTICOLI ORIGINALI   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2014 April;65(2):179-83

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Locking compression plate external fixation in the treatment of open fracture of the tibial shaft

Zhang Z., Tang X. ✉

Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China

AIM: The optimal fixation of open tibial shaft fracture is still a controversy. Locking compression plates (LCP) applied as an external fixator was reported for only a few cases and so far there are no widely accepted indications, normative operation techniques and deep understanding of potential risks. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate clinical outcomes and analyze our aggregate experience of LCPs used as external fixator for open fractures of the tibial shaft.
METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed 32 patients with open tibial shaft fractures treated with LCPs as external fixator in our trauma department from January 2005 to December 2012.
RESULTS: All the patients were available for follow-up evaluation in a mean of 14 months (range, 6-45 weeks), and achieved union clinically and radiologically in a mean of 4.4 months (range, 2.5-9 months). Four patients were delayed union, two required minor adjustment of external plate and the other two required secondary iliac crest bone grafting. Based on Johner and Wruhs criteria, the final results were rated as 25 excellent, 4 good and 3 fair.
CONCLUSION: LCP applied as an external fixator is a safe and effective alternative for some types of open tibial shaft fractures.