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A biomechanical analysis of the Ilizarov external fixator.

Five configurations of the Ilizarov fixator were analyzed in vitro. The overall stiffness, shear stiffness, and axial motion of the fracture site were determined. The data were compared with the results of eight conventional one-half frame fixators previously tested in the same manner. The Ilizarov fixator allowed significantly more axial motion at the fracture site during axial compression than the other fixators tested. The overall stiffness and shear rigidity of the Ilizarov external fixator were similar to those of the one-half pin fixators in bending and torsion. The stability of the Ilizarov fixator was a function of bone position within the fixator rings and fixation wire tension. The use of olive stop wires increased the shear resistance of the Ilizarov system.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Combination therapy by external fixation and functional bracing for infected open femoral fracture.

It is well-known that an infected open fracture needs careful management. If the infected organisms are antibiotic-tolerant species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), treatment becomes quite difficult. Here we report that an open femoral fracture infected by these organisms was satisfactorily treated by the combination of external fixation and functional bracing without residual osteomyelitis.

Adult↗

Stable temporary traction substitute with the Pinless external fixator.

The stable traction substitute with a JBPF seems a very promising indication for pinless clamps, offering good patient comfort and easy care. The implantation of a JBPF is possible under the same conditions as for conventional calcaneal traction. Although the stability provided is less than for conventional external fixators, it is sufficient for a temporary traction device. The JBPF does not affect secondary ORIF.

Adult↗

Correction of the cavus foot using external fixation.

Cavus deformity is of soft tissue, bony, or combined origin and is either static or progressive. The treatment algorithm depends on these factors. Bony deformities are treated by acute osteotomy or gradual distraction osteotomies, whereas soft tissue contractures are treated by soft tissue releases or distraction. External fixation is a powerful tool to obtain correction of the cavus deformity. It must be supplemented with soft tissue balancing procedures, such as tendon transfer and orthotic management, to maintain the correction in progressive cavus deformities.

Algorithms↗

Supracondylar medial open wedge osteotomy with external fixation for cubitus varus deformity.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical procedures are used for the correction of cubitus varus deformity in children. Even if the primary indication is cosmetic, but many poor results have been described. The technique of a supracondylar medial opening wedge osteotomy with external fixation is presented and preliminary results in four cases are reported. TECHNIQUE: An antero-medial approach is chosen with exposition and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Under image intensifier control, insertion of four Schanz screws is performed from medial to lateral. In between, an incomplete medial osteotomy is performed obliquely (in the antero-posterior as well as in the medio-lateral plane), leaving a small part of the radial humeral cortex intact. The osteotomy is opened until varus and, if present, hyperextension deformation are corrected. Then, the fixator system is applied. RESULTS: All osteotomies healed primarily. Mean valgus correction of 21.75 degrees was achieved; in only one patient additional flexion modification of 17 degrees was necessary. At a follow-up of at least 2 years clinically three out of four presented symmetric elbow position, one slight residual varus deformity was noted in spite of 20 degrees of valgization due to important valgus position of the contralateral side. No lateral bulging of the corrected elbow was observed. CONCLUSION: The described technique is an alternative to other procedures, with special regard to the cosmetic outcome as well as to the control of correction for valgus and flexion.

Child↗

A safer pin position for external fixation of distal radial fractures.

Injury or entrapment of the superficial radial nerve is common in external fixation for fractures of the distal radius. However, by insertion of the half pins dorsally (rather than dorso-radially) in the diaphysis of radius, the nerve should be safe. None of the 40 patients we treated with this safer position of the pins developed symptoms related to the superficial radial nerve.

Bone Nails↗

Rupture of the calcaneal tendon. Treatment by external fixation.

Thirty-three consecutive patients with complete ruptures of the calcaneal tendon were treated by external fixation. The patients were assessed both objectively and subjectively, and the results classified as excellent, good, fair and poor. In 30 patients the result was excellent or good. There were no infections or re-ruptures. Two patients with fair results had sural nerve injury. The only patient with a poor result had Sudeck's atrophy. It is felt that this operation satisfies the need for a new technique which is simple and combines the advantages of both surgical and non-surgical treatment without their major complications.

Adult↗

[External fixation of the pelvis--indications, assembly and results].

Stabilisation of pelvic ring fractures by means of external fixation has been found to provide certain advantages over internal fixation. Good results can be achieved, provided that optimum forms and techniques of assembly are used. The authors' indications are reported together with their assembly techniques and forms. The clinical results reported are relating to ten patients, with a pelvic-arm fixator being used in three additional cases. The simple clamp fixator is recommended by the authors for cases of stable symphyseal rupture with a diastasis of more than 1.5 cm.

Acetabulum↗

Internal and external fixation of fractures in children.

We have illustrated instances in which open reduction with internal or external fixation should be used in the care of fractures in children. These methods should be used when closed reduction fails or in other circumstances in which they are the initial treatment of choice. At no time should the surgeon hesitate to utilize these operative options if they represent the best method of achieving the most functional end result in a pediatric fracture.

Child↗

Outcome of tibial shaft fractures with severe soft tissue injury treated by unreamed nailing versus external fixation.

MATERIALS: Between 1987 and 1991, 114 fresh tibial shaft fractures with severe soft tissue injury, which met the inclusion criteria, were treated and retrospectively reviewed. There were 48 cases in the unreamed nail (unreamed tibial nail (UTN)) group and 66 cases in the external fixation (EF) group. METHODS: Soft tissue injury was classified by the Gustilo and Tscherne methods. There were 18 AO type A, 56 type B, and 40 type C fractures. There were no significant difference in fracture type, soft tissue injury, age, and additional injury between the groups. Outcome was assessed using the Karlström score after 28 months. RESULTS: There were a significantly higher number of reoperations in the EF group. Mean time to bony healing was 25.8 weeks. In the EF group, there was a 26% rate of pin tract infection, whereas 19% of cases had bolt breakages in the UTN group. In the UTN group, 40% had good results, compared with 27% in the EF group. In the UTN group, there were significantly fewer ante- and recurvatum deformities of more than five degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of tibial fractures by UTN, compared with EF, gave a lower reoperation rate and better functional outcome.

External Fixators↗

Correction of proximal tibial deformities in adolescents with the T-Garches external fixator.

Frontal-plane deformity of the proximal tibia in children has a variety of etiologies. There are also a number of described surgical techniques for correction of these deformities. The authors reviewed their early experience with the use of the Orthofix T-Garches external fixator for correction of 16 proximal tibial deformities in 14 patients. Mean age at surgery was 14.2 years. The most common diagnosis was adolescent Blount's disease. Average deformity was 12 degrees. Total treatment time averaged 13 weeks for those requiring lengthening and 10.8 weeks for those without. Complications included one ring sequestrum treated by curettage, and two patients with subsequent development of femoral deformity. Tibial anatomic axis averaged 1 degree of varus. This device can achieve excellent correction of deformity isolated to the frontal plane with few complications. It allows functional weight bearing and use of adjacent joints during treatment.

Adolescent↗

Ankle and subtalar fusion utilizing a tricortical bone graft, bone stimulator, and external fixator after avascular necrosis of the talus.

A unique ankle and subtalar fusion was performed on a patient with avascular necrosis of the talus. The body of the talus was removed and replaced with an autogenous tricortical bone graft. Healing was aided by the use of a bone stimulator and external fixator. The authors believe this fusion to be a more stable fusion than others used to treat avascular necrosis of the talus.

Adult↗

Slow, gradual external fixation distraction for treatment of postburn knee flexion contracture.

Although surgical release and reconstruction have been used extensively to treat severe postburn knee flexion contractures, the degree of correction is sometimes unsatisfactory, and the procedure is not exempt from significant complications. Based on the principle of slow, gradual external fixation distraction, we have designed a triangular articulated frame to be mounted with the ASIF-BM fixator to deal with joint flexion contractures. One successfully treated patient is reported. This is a percutaneous surgery, with very mild aggression to the patient and very low iatrogenic risks. The technique is easy, the degree of correction may be almost complete, and the hospital stay is very short because it is an ambulatory surgery.

Burns↗

Unilateral external fixation for corrective osteotomies in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets.

Extremity deformities in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets (HPR) are often complex and multiplanar. Described methods for correcting these deformities are imprecise and require interruption of the medical management of the condition. Corrective osteotomies were performed on 29 bones in nine children with HPR. Use of the Orthofix external fixator enabled precise correction of the deformities without interruption of medical management.

Adolescent↗

Fibular transport in conjunction with Hoffman external fixation of the tibia.

Tibiofibular synostosis is a salvage procedure commonly used for difficult nonunions of the tibia. It may be carried out by means of transfixion screws, a bone graft, or fibular transfer using Ilizarov (Smith and Nephews Richards, Memphis, Tennessee) or Monticelli-Spinelli (Howmedica Inc, Rutherford, New Jersey) devices. This paper describes fibular transfer employing the Hoffmann external fixator, which is commonly used in the management of tibial fractures or nonunions.

External Fixators↗

Forefoot narrowing with external fixation for problem cleft wounds.

Healing of forefoot cleft wounds can be a difficult management problem in patients with peripheral vascular disease, diabetes or both. This is a prospective review of 15 patients with these conditions with nonhealing middle-ray cleft wounds managed with a temporary mini-external fixator to close the cleft wound. Fourteen (93%) of the 15 patients had a successful obliteration of the cleft and skin coverage. Twelve (80%) of 15 were able to resume their previous level of activity with the reconstructed, mechanically sound forefoot. Fourteen (93%) of the 15 patients received hyperbaric oxygen treatments as an adjunct to wound healing. All patients avoided a transmetatarsal or higher amputation.

Adult↗

Compression plating of tibial fractures following primary external fixation.

During the time period from May 1990 to December 1992, a total of 75 tibia fractures were treated in the Department of Traumatology at the University of Bonn. Thirty-eight patients with 40 tibial fractures were managed according to a regimen including primary stabilization, usually using external fixation, soft tissue reconstruction and delayed open reduction and internal fixation using an AO compression plate. The majority of the patients had been involved in motor vehicle accidents, leading to multiple injuries in 24 instances. An open fracture was seen 18 times. The 20% complication rate is comparable to the reports following intramedullary stabilization. Only one infection, following a grade 2 open fracture, was seen after the definitive stabilization. Bony union was achieved after 15.7 weeks. In light of the complications associated with intramedullary nailing, such as fat or air embolism, heterotopic ossification and non- or malunions, use of the tibial plate does not offer just logistic advantages, but is a viable alternative for delayed stabilization of tibial fractures. No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. No funds were received in support of this study.

Adult↗

Development of a variable stiffness external fixation system for stabilization of segmental defects of the tibia.

The mechanical properties of a variable stiffness external fixation system were explored. Initial testing of a unilateral fixator configuration demonstrated that system rigidity could be increased by maximizing pin separation distance in the fracture component and the number of pins used while minimizing pin separation distance across the fracture site and the sidebar offset distance from bone. A triangulated system composed of half pin frames mounted anteriorly and medially on the tibial aspects and linked by crossbars was devised. Progressive disassembly of the frame was shown to result in progressive decreases in fixator rigidity in all planes.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗