Immobilization of cross-leg flap by external fixator

ABSTRACT

This is a study of 34 patients having Gustilo type III i.e. open fracture with soft tissue defect that cannot be filled by simpler methods like partial thickness skin grafting but requires cross leg flap with stabilization. In this study, stabilization was done with a relatively new method i.e. by an external fixator which allows easy access to the flap and readjustment if necessary together with early mobilization. The flap grafts were accepted in all cases. Age [minimum 3 years] and site [exposed heel, dorsum of foot, exposed tibia] are not a restriction for the use of external fixator. Complications were minimum and easily treated e.g. pin-tract infection [17.65%], joints stiffness [20.59%, etc. this flap was used for 24 tibial fractures out of which 21 united giving a nonunion rate of 12.50%. We feel that management of cross-leg flap with external fixator is simpler and gives better results: