[Rare indications for an external fixator]

Seldom indications for the use of external fixator are reported and illustrated. As a rule the damage to the pelvis is complex and it is often associated with a polytrauma; unstable pelvis injuries in some cases can be stabilised by external fixator by the method of Slätis. Examples of osteotaxis are given for the treatment of comminuted fractures or defect-pseudarthroses or after osteomyelitic bone damage of femur and humerus. In the treatment of multi-fragment fractures of the base of the radius and of the forearm the external fixation can also be used with good success. The external mini-fixator is a new way for external stabilization in hand surgery and can provide good results in comminuted fractures of the fingers and for finger-replantation.