Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
Orthopaedic Proceedings Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from Orthopaedic Proceedings

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Visit Orthopaedic Proceedings at:

Loading...

Loading...

Full Access

THE USE OF CIRCULAR EXTERNAL FIXATORS FOR FRACTURE STABILISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FRACTURE NON-UNION. A REVIEW OF 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE



Abstract

Background: Ilizarov and Taylor Spatial Fixators are commonly used in the management of complex fractures and in the management of fracture non-union at our institute. We aim to review 15 years of circular frame use by a single surgeon to assess the incidence of successful treatment of fractures and fracture non-unions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the case notes, theatre lists, and radiology records of all patients who had been treated with a circular fixator over the past 15 years. We identified 134 procedures in 114 patients where a circular fixator was used for fracture stabilisation or treatment of non-union of fracture. We documented the length of time each frame was in-situ and the outcome of treatment.

Results: We identified 60 fractures in 54 patients and 74 fracture non-unions in 73 patients. Of the fracture non-unions 20 were known to be infected and 74 were considered sterile. Average length of time with a fixator in -situ was 243 days for the fracture group, 301 days for the sterile non-union group, and 343 days for the infected non-union group. 50 of 60 (83.3%) fractures united satisfactorily and four mal-united. Five fractures developed sterile non-union and one developed infected non-union. Of 54 sterile non-unions 42 united (77.8%), five with significant mal-union. Three were thought to have united but re-fractured after removal of frame. Eight failed to unite and one patient died of unrelated cause with fixator in-situ. Of 20 infected non-unions, fourteen united (70%), three with significant mal-union. One non-union was thought to have healed but re-fractured when the fixator was removed. Four remained infected and failed to unite and one failed due to soft tissue complications not associated with the fixator.

Conclusions: Circular External Fixators are an appropriate method of treatment for complex fractures and fractures that have failed to unite when treated with alternative fixation devices.

Correspondence should be addressed to: EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH – 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. Tel: +41 44 448 44 00; Email: office@efort.org

Author: Barry O’Neill, Ireland

E-mail: barryoneill1922@gmail.com