[A comparative mechanical study of types of external fixator (author's transl)]. / Etude mécanique comparative de fixateurs externes. Le modèle du Service de Santé des Armées.

The authors have designed and original type of external fixator which can be used in the forces in case of armed conflict. Study has been directed towards a simple, strong and inexpensive apparatus which can be applied in emergency circumstances. Secondarily it can be replaced by another apparatus to allow compression, distraction or better reduction of a fracture without removal of the pins. The fixator should be applied as close as possible to bone and there should be three pins in each fragment, one close to the fracture, one distant and one intermediate. The best methods for the insertion of the pins have been tested.