Abid Ali, Hidayat Ullah, Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Imran Ali, Ahmad Jawad Mufti, Qaisar Azem, Asghar Essa.
Common Complications of Ilizarov External Fixator.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;30(1):39-43.

Objectives: To evaluate the complications of Ilizarov external fixator. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2016. Data includes demographics, functional outcome and complications of surgery were documented on a pre-formed proforma. Ninety patients requiring Ilizarov fixator fixation for various indications were studied. A; the record was kept in database. Results: 90 patients were treated with Ilizarov for different indications. Male population was dominant, 65(72.2%)) while only 25(27.8%) were females. The fixator was applied for an average of 17.9 ±10.3 SD weeks with a range of 7-48 weeks. Outcome graded as per ASAMI criteria as excellent in 60 (66.6%), good in 21 (23.33%), fair in 6 (6.66%) and poor in 3 (3.33%) patients. The main complications in 29 (32.2%) cases were infection, of which 4 (4.44%) were major infections and 25 (27.7%) were minor pin tract infections. Joint stiffness was found in 12 (13.3%) patients and limb shortening in 5 (5.5%) patients of more than 2.5 cm. Conclusion: Observing Ilizarov principles can reduce complications. Cleaning of pin tracts should be done to minimize infection and vigorous range of motion exercises and weight bearing to reduce joint stiffness. Respecting planes would reduce neurovascular injuries. Despite its complications, this is still a valuable tool for treating complex skeletal disorders which otherwise would require amputations.

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