Bajwa G R, Ibrar Sherazi.
Evaluation of use of external fixator in the management of open and infected fracture of long bones.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;23(1):44-9.

Objective: To evaluate the results of use of external fixator in the management of open and infected fracture of long bones. Study Design: A retrospective case series study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, District Teaching Hospital, Sargodha during the period of January 2008 to January 2011 Study Design: Prospective Study. Patients and Method: All patients were admitted through outpatient and emergency department of DHQ Teaching Hospital. The study was based on 204 cases both males and females of different age groups. There were 182 open and 22 infected fractures. After thorough examination and investigation, they were operated with application of external fixator. Results: The mean time to union in tibial fracture was 21 weeks, 23 weeks in femur fracture, 17.3 weeks in radius fracture and 16 weeks in humerus fracture. Comminuted fractures took longer time to unite and rate of complication was higher. Major complications were pintract infection 24 (11.76%) delayed union 12 (5.88%), non-union 6 (2.94%) apart from wound infection and stiffness of joints. Conclusion: We conclude from this study that external fixator is the best method to treat open (G-I,& G-II)and infected fractures of long bones.

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