[The AO external clamp fixator. New techniques in external stabilization of tibial fractures]

A serious disadvantage of conventional external fixators is the opening of the medullary canal. This creates a direct communication between the canal and the exterior. The new pinless external fixator does not have this disadvantage. The clamps of the new fixator system do not penetrate cortical bone, they simply rest on the cortical surface. The clinical indications of this easily managed system are fractures of the tibial shaft in cases in which primary internal fixation is precluded either by precarious local or general conditions, or even by a lack of infrastructure. In such situations the pinless external fixator is an excellent device to achieve a good fracture stabilisation rapidly, while leaving open all subsequent alteration of treatment. In case of secondary change to an intramedullary nail the pinless fixator facilitates the procedure, because this fixator can be also used as an distractor during nailing. Furthermore this fixator can be combined with any intramedullary nail to increase the stability in case of very proximal or distal as well as highly instable shaft fractures. The clamps of the pinless external fixator set are used in combination with the standard AO fixator system.