Journal List > J Korean Soc Fract > v.11(2) > 1077599

Kang, Kim, Kim, Gho, You, and Chang: The Results and Complications After Treatment of Open Tibia Fractures in Children

Abstract

We describe the results of treatment and complication of open tibial fractures in 44 children. There were 30 males and 14 females with an average age of the 6.7 years(range 3~2 years). The mean follow up period was 15 months(range 1.4~28month). According to the classification of Gustilo et al, Type I were 17 cases, Type II were 13 cases, Type IIIA were 9 cases and Type IIIB were 5 cases. All patient received tetanus prophylaxis, and systemic thirty-four with minimal soft tissue injury were closed primarily. The other 10 were initially left open; of these, 7 wounds were allowed to heal secondarily and 3 larger wounds required split skin grafts. The average time to healing of the fracture was 12.9weeks(range 6.9~22.4weeks). The complication included superficial infection(7%), malunion(5%), delayed union(2%), synostosis(2%), and leg length discrepancy(5%): these incidences are similar to those reported in adult. The osteomyelitis, compartment syndrome, and vascular injury didn't developed at any case. The K-wire fixation of open tibia fractures of the childrens is very useful to prevent the displacement and to care for the openwound without the risk of deep infection.

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