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Abstract
Background: The
aim of this study was to describe the
characteristics of the patients, to evaluate
the outcome of an external fixation for
tibia open fracture.
Materials and
method: The study was a retrospective
study involving 92 patients who have open
tibia injuries, and who underwent surgical
intervention by external fixation during
the period January 2014 to December 2016,
in Aden, Yemen.
Results: There
were 71(77.2%) male and 21(22.8%) female
patients and the male to female ratio
was 3.4:1.
The fracture patterns
were categorized according to Gustilo
open fracture classification: There were
51(55.5%) type 3A fractures, 29(31.5%)
type 3B, and 12(13%) type 3C.
The mean age of
all patients was, at the time of the injury,
37.3±10.3 years (range 18–57
years). The mean age of male patients
was 36.5 ± 11.1 years and the mean
age of females was 40.1 ± 6.6 years.
The difference between means showed no
statistical significance (p > 0.05).
Bone union was
achieved in 70(76.1%) patients and delayed
union 12(13%). Mal-union was observed,
in 4(4.4%) patients. There were 2(2.2%)
patients who exhibited a shortening of
2 cm and another 1(1.1%) exhibited a shortening
of 1.5 cm.
Pin tract infection
was observed in 7(7.6%) patients and chronic
osteomyelitis in 2 (2.2%) patients. Six
(6.5%) patients had non-union.
Conclusion:
External fixation is the method of choice
for the primary treatment of tibia open
fracture. However, this is a small study
in two private hospitals and larger studies
are needed.
Key words:
Tibia, open fracture, external fixation,
results, Aden
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