Ilizarov technique in the treatment of compound tibial fracture with bone defect

ABSTRACT

Open tibial fractures with bone loss is difficult to manage mainly due to soft tissue problems, risk of infection and high rates of non union. We report our experience in the management of such cases using Ilizarov technique. We report our experience with the use of llizarov technique in 12 patients with grade IIIA and IIIB open tibial fractures with bone loss. The causative injury was either, high energy missiles, motor vehicle accident or direct trauma with fall of heavy object. The length of the tibial bone defect ranged from 3.5 cm to 10 cm. All cases eventually untied and infection was eradicated in all cases. The bone results were graded excellent in 11 cases and good in one case. The case that graded as good united in 10 degree varus. The functional results were graded excellent in 6 cases, good in 5 case, fair in one case, and poor in one case. We found Ilizarov technique is quite satisfactory in management of open tipial fractures with bone defects. This was associated with high rates of union, eradication of infection and very good functional results: