Open tibial fractures treated with the Ex-fi-re external fixation system

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Open tibial fractures present significant treatment challenges.
• External fixation is a common method for managing complex fractures.
• The Ex-fi-re system offers a novel approach to reduction and fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the Ex-fi-re external fixation system in treating open tibial fractures.
• To assess the impact of reduction accuracy on fracture healing time.
• To report complication rates and functional outcomes associated with the system.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 50 open tibial fractures treated with the Ex-fi-re system (1987-1994).
• Fractures classified using the Gustilo and Anderson system.
• Reduction accuracy assessed, with exact reduction defined as ≤2 mm translational displacement.

Main Results:

• 50 open tibial fractures treated, with diverse Gustilo and Anderson grades.
• Median union time was 20 weeks; 43 fractures healed without secondary procedures.
• Exact reduction (≤2 mm displacement) correlated with significantly shorter union times (19 vs. 31 weeks).

Conclusions:

• The Ex-fi-re external fixation system is effective for treating open tibial fractures.
• Accurate reduction using the system's unit contributes to earlier fracture consolidation.
• The system facilitates compression for oblique fractures, potentially aiding healing.