[Outcomes of open leg fractures treated with external fixator and relating factors]

Open leg fractures are serious problems with high incidence and several complicated consequences in affected patients. There is no reliable record in this regard in Iranian medical literature. This study assesses the results of open leg fractures treated with external fixator in Imam Hossein hospital in a 3 year periods; 2003-2006. At an experimental study, all the patients with open leg fracture, referred to Imam Hossein hospital and treated with external fixator monolateral [AO] evaluated. All the patients were encouraged to bear weight early and dynamization was performed in relation to amount of comminution. Patients were visited every 4 to 6 weeks during the treatment. Minimal follow up was 8 months and the results of treatment were evaluated using a requirement for both secondary procedures and quality of reduction. In addition, effect of age, gender, grade, fracture type and causes of injury on this two problems were calculated with Fisher's exact and Chi-square tests. 58 patients referred to Imam Hossein hospital and 8 ones were excluded from study owing to different intervening causes. 10% of patients needed secondary procedures. Exact reduction was performed at 64%. Fractures with comminution, grade III Gustilo and displacement of more than 2mm had high probability of secondary procedures [P<0.02]. Mean time of union was 22 weeks. Fractures with exact reduction had lesser mean time compared to others. External fixator is a safe implant in treatment of open leg fractures and we recommend further clinical trials with control groups