Syed Asif Ali, Ghulam Mehboob.
Comparative Study `Pin and Plaster` and `AO Monoplane External Fixator` in Treatment of Gustilo Type I AND II Open Fracture of Tibia.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;12(12):741-3.

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of pin and plaster as against AO external fixator in open fractures of tibia and fibula in developing countries. Design: It was a prospective, randomised comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan from February, 1998 to January, 2000. Materials and Methods: A total of 96 patients were included in the study with tibial shaft fracture AO type A and B and Gustilo Grade I and II. More severe fractures were excluded from the study as those required more versatile fixator. Patients were divided into two groups using randomisation. Group I patients were treated with the AO monoplane external fixator and Group II patients with pin in plaster. Formal debridement was done in both the cases. Results: No significant differences in treatment outcomes in both groups were noted as far as soft tissue management, healing time and complications are concerned. Conclusion: It was felt that pin and plaster is equally effective treatment for Gustilo Grade I and II open fractures of tibial shaft more so in our country for economic reasons.

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