Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.26(4) > 1114955

Choi, Kwon, Kim, Song, Kwon, and Oh: Immediate Internal Fixation in Open Fractures of the Long Bones

Abstract

Open fractures of long bones associated with soft tissue injury are extremely difficult and time consuming management problems for the physician. Recently, many studies were reported that after copious irrigation and meticulous wound debridement and immediate internal fixation of open fractures of long bones have shown remarkably low incidence of infection rate and good functional end results. We reviewed Z6 cases of immediate internal fixation for open fractures of the long bones from June, 1985 to May, 1990 and obtained the following results. 1. Fractured bone were fifteen tibiae, three femur, six radius and ulna, two humerus. According to classification of Gustilo and Anderson, type II was 5 cases, type III A was 15 cases and type III B was 6 cases. 2. Average time between injury and operation was 6 hours. 3. Average period of bone union was 5 months in type II, 6.7 months in type IIIA, and 8.5 months in type III B. 4. There were 4 case of infection and 5 cases of nonunion but all were cured with antibiotics and bone graft. 5. The immediate early rigid internal fixation allowed achiving of osseous stability, which facilitate healing of soft tissue and reducing the infection rate. Fracture stability implies restoration of the bone to normal length and alignment. Normal bone alignment and good stability provide easy secondary operation in cases of delayed union or infected nonunion. 6. We think that immediate internal fixation associated with copious irrigation and meticulous wound debridement was good methods for treatment of open fractures of long associated with soft tissue injury.

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