PURPOSE To describe a combined use of a free vascularised flap and an external fixator for reconstruction of lower extremity defects in children, and correction of equinus contracture developed after removal of the external fixator using a circular dynamic frame. METHODS Seven children (4 males) aged 4 to 12 (mean, 8) years were treated with 9 free vascularised flaps for 8 limbs (bilaterally ...

OBJECTIVE To compare the biomechanical stability of extraarticular proximal tibia fractures reconstructed using a double-plate construct, locking plate system, hybrid external fixator, and single lateral periarticular plate, all from the same manufacturer. DESIGN Standardized proximal tibial fractures (AO classification 41-A3.2 and A3.3) in synthetic tibiae were stabilized using one of the fo...

OBJECTIVES the purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes with minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis using three implants: volar locking plate, intramedullary nail system and nonbridging external fixator for distal radius fractures. METHODS forty-eight patients (A group, 16; B group 16; C group 16) underwent minimally invasive percutaneo...

Purpose The evaluation of a construction that allows the exchange of circular and unilateral external fixators on the same fixation pins to the bone in outpatient circumstances during bone lengthening and alignment procedures. Methods Nine children were treated with this concept. After bone lengthening and alignment, the circular fixators were exchanged for unilateral fixators in the outpatient...

The treatment of elbow stiffness remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. A hinged external fixator with distraction ability has recently emerged as a new option in the surgical treatment of elbow stiffness. Between January 2007 and December 2009, twenty-five posttraumatic stiff elbows (mean patient age, 29.2 years) received distraction arthrolysis from 1 surgeon group (W.J.W., L.H., P.Z.J....

Pelvic fractures in pregnancy are rare, resulting in a paucity of evidence-based management. We describe a case of open book pelvic injury in a 32-year-old woman in her third trimester of pregnancy. She was successfully managed with a supra-acetabular external fixator, which allowed the safe delivery of a healthy baby boy at 34 weeks, via caesarean section. The external fixator was removed post...

INTRODUCTION Tibia fracture caused by high velocity missiles is mostly comminuted and followed by bone defect which makes their healing process extremely difficult and prone to numerous complications. CASE OUTLINE A 34-year-old male was wounded at close range by a semi-automatic gun missile. He was wounded in the distal area of the left tibia and suffered a massive defect of the bone and soft...

BACKGROUND Large skeletal defects due to postosteomyelitis are uncommon, and they present a challenging reconstructive problem. The aim of our study was to summarize our experience performing a distraction osteogenesis technique using an intramedullary nail and a monolateral external fixator in the reconstruction of massive postosteomyelitis skeletal defects of the femur. METHODS Between Janu...

INTRODUCTION Knee dislocations are defined as ligament injuries involving at least two of the four most important knee ligaments. Results from recent studies have shown a tendency towards improvement of the functional outcomes with use of an articulated external fixator during the postoperative period following multiligament reconstruction. Our hypothesis was that good knee stability and early ...

The locking compression plate (LCP) is an angle-stable fixator intended for intracorporeal application. In selected cases, it can be applied externally in an extracorporeal location to function as a monolateral external fixator. We describe one patient with Schatzker V tibial plateau fracture and one patient with Gustillo IIIB open tibia shaft fracture treated initially with traditional externa...