Stabilizing severely open fractures of the tibia with a surgical suture: an alternative and feasible method for
You-Shui Gao1, Shan-Zhu Li, Zhen-Hong Zhu
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Outcomes concerning treatment of severely open fractures of the tibia have achieved great success with the advent of powerful antibiotics, superb microsurgery techniques, and advanced stabilization instruments. However, severe pollution in the wound and high comminution of the fragments may restrict application of internal or external fixators. The condition could appear more complicated if osteoporosis and polytrauma are present or if those special instruments are unavailable.
Case Report:
We tried using a surgical suture to stabilize severely open fractures of the tibia in the elderly with osteoporosis. A 65-year-old woman with a severely open fracture of the tibia was treated with a surgical suture, and the result was satisfactory in early period. We discuss the new but traditional osteosynthesis method.
Conclusions:
A surgical suture osteosynthesis could act as an additional alternative when special fractures or conditions occur. Postoperative results in early period are satisfactory. Long-term results and clinical experience should be analyzed and discussed.
