[Use of external ilizarev fixation in severe injuries of the leg.]

The authors summarize their experience with the treatment of some types of complicated fractures of the leg by means of an Ilizarev apparatus. At the authors' department in surgery of fractures of the leg usually an external fixation device is used or intramedullary, locking nailing. In some instances the use of an Ilizarev apparatus proved more useful. This applies to fractures where the line of fractures is in the metaphysis, near the articular space or in case of intraarticular fractures. Ilizarev' s apparatus was used also in patients who had received primary treatment in another department, and who needed for different reasons surgical revision and stabilization of the fracture. The use of Ilizarev' s apparatus is, beyond doubt, more useful in fractures at several levels with desaxation of the fragments where lateral tractions can be used to complete the correction of the axial position of the fragments. In addition to indications for use of Ilizarev' s apparatus (IA) the authors mention also the advantages and disadvantages of a fixation device. The authors summarize the experience with treatment of 13 patients during 1989-1993. Except for one patient where it did not prove possible so far to cure osteomyelitis of the tibia, the results of the method are unequivocally positive. The paper is supplemented by casehistories and illustrations. Key words: Ilizarev' s apparatus, desaxation of fragments, correction of position, external fixation, fractures of the leg.