A Clinical Study of Open Tibia Fractures

Kang, Wan; Shin, Kyoo Ho; Kim, Byung Jik

Abstract

The treatment of open tibia fracture is challenging to Orthopedic Surgeon with its high infection rate and other complications. We had wound culture of open tibia fracture at emergency room in all cases, and treated using various External Fixators. The author analized the 134 cases of the open tibia fractures from March 1979 to February 1987. The average follow-up was one year. The results were as follws : 1. Type I open fracture was 23 cases, Type II 58 cases, Type IIIA 33, Type IIIB and Type IIIC was 10 cases each. The most frequent type of fracture was Type II, 58 cases by Gustilo classification. 2. The union time of Type I fracture was 6.5 months in average, and that of Type II and Type III was 9.5 months, 11.2 months. 3. Of those 52 cases whose initial culture was positive, 12 cases developed infection. The low infection rate would probably be due to combined administration of cephalosporin and firm application of external fixator to severe open tibia fractures.