[Experience with the use of an external fixator in patients with multiple injuries]

The authors report on experiences with fixateur extern according to Raoul Hoffmann in 110 open fractures of second-degree and third-degree severity. The patient material comprised 90 patients, of which a total of 71 (79 per cent) had polytraumas. It was shown that good results can be expected if fixateur extern is applied immediately. The advantages of good positioning and care of soft parts are emphasized. A detailed discussion is devoted to the specific problems of polytraumatized patients with second-degree and third-degree open fractures.