Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation is limited in treating comminuted tibiofibular fracture complicated by soft tissue injury. External fixation is appropriate for open tibiofibular fracture. Early external fixator can treat high energy-induced complicated fracture, but its application is limited due to complex operation, long duration or high cost.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and short-term effect of HoffmannⅡ metal external fixator on open tibiofibular fracture.
METHODS: A total of 25 cases of open tibiofibular fracture were treated with HoffmannⅡ metal external fixator from October 2008 to October 2009. HoffmannⅡ metal external fixator was purchased from Stryker, and the Apex titanium needle comprising titanium alloy Ti6AI-4V had good biocompatibility. The functional exercise was performed the day following upper limb fixation, and the patients were asked to walk assisting with stick 3 days following lower limb fixation. X-ray was shot to observe callus growth to confirm fixator extraction time.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients were followed up for 3-15 months. Of them, 18 cases had bony union in primary stage. The average time of bone union was 8-12 months, and the average time of using external fixator was 4.5 months. Two cases had delayed bony union using bone graft, and five patients were followed up; one case had bone infection, and four cases with local infection. Results show that external fixator displayed advantages in treating open tibiofibular fracture, such as tapping of screws, free adjustment of fixture and connection frame, less trauma, simple operation and favorable functional recovery.