Comparative study pin and plaster and AO monoplane external fixator in treatment of gustilo type I and II open fracture of tibia

ABSTRACT

To evaluate effectiveness of pin and plaster as against AO external fixator in open fractures of tibia and fibula in developing countries. Design: It was a prospective, randomised comparative study. Place and Duration of Study The study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan from February, 1998 to January, 2000. Materials and A total of 96 patients were included in the study with tibial shaft fracture AO type A and B and Gustilo Grade I and II. More severe fractures were excluded from the study as those required more versatile fixator. Patients were divided into two groups using randomisation. Group I patients were treated with the AO monoplane external fixator and Group II patients with pin in plaster. Formal debridement was done in both the cases. No significant differences in treatment outcomes in both groups were noted as far as soft tissue management, healing time and complications are concerned. It was felt that pin and plaster is equally effective treatment for Gustilo Grade I and II open fractures of tibial shaft more so in our country for economic reasons