개방성 경골골절의 외부골고정에 대한 임상적 고찰 = CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EXTERNAL FIXATION FOR OPEN TIBIAL FRACTURES

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of any fracture fixation method is two folds; to maintain alignment and to create an optimal millieu for tissue survival and fracture healing.
Two major indications for external skeletal fixation are; A) extensively open fractures requiring wound care and closure by other than primary methods, and B) grossly unstable fractures requiring stabilization for soft tissue support and fracture alignment.
The advantages of this method are that it involves less metal and less extensive surgical exposure than internal fixation devices, ample wound access, more rigid fixation, early ambulation, and increased patient comfort.
In cases of very sever open fractures, this method seems to be the treatment of choice and can reduce the frequency of amputation. Recently, complete long-term follow-up results showed that healing times can be reduced if the period of rigid external fixation is reduced.
Clinical success with external fixation remains highly dependent on the degree to which a surgeon can maximize its advantages and minimize its pitfall and complication.
The author had analyzed 61 cases of open tibial fractures, which had been treated with various external fixation devices among 78 cases from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 1985 in Soonchunhyang University Hospital and Soonchunhyang Chunan Hospital. Fifteen delayed union were found. There is more advantage if removal of the external fixator, as soon as false motion becomes absent and callus formation is evident in roentgenogram.