Treatment of open fractures with external fixation.

The results of external fixation of 57 open fractures of the tibia are presented. We applied external fixation following the debridement, reposition, and stabilization of the fracture, with minimal osteosynthesis by Kirschner wires or screws. In case of infection, we treated pseudarthrosis by posterior grafting. The duration of the application of external fixation was five to 24 weeks (average: 13.5 weeks). The results show that the application of external fixation in the treatment of open fractures has many advantages. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.