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Background/Aim. Cephalomedullary and extramedullary methods are used for the internal fixation of trochanteric fractures. The usage of the third generation Gamma Nail (GN) is a gold standard in this kind of treatments. Self-dynamisable Internal Fixator (SIF) is an extramedullary implant for trochanteric fractures’ treatment. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods regarding operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy time. Methods. A total of 89 patients with a surgical treatment of a trochanteric fracture were included in this study. There were two groups of patients – GN group (43 patients) and SIF group (46 patients). Results. Average operation times were 67.5 min (GN group) and 56.0 min (SIF group). Average intraoperative fluoroscopy times were 84.8 s (GN group) and 36.7 s (SIF group). The difference between the groups was statistically significant for both of the given parameters (p < 0.05). The correlation between operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy time was confirmed in the SIF group (p < 0.05; r = 0.405), while it was not confirmed in the GN group (p > 0.05). There was a higher variability in the GN method than in the SIF method regarding the duration and type of repeated surgical maneuvers followed by X-ray checks. Conclusion. The number of planned surgical interventions per day could depend on the type of trochanteric fracture internal fixation (intramedullary or extramedullary). Certain additional analyses including radiation dose assessment are desirable to clarify if shorter intraoperative fluoroscopy time in the SIF method can have the influence regarding intraoperative X-ray protection clothing. If there is the need to activate dynamization in long femoral axis after initial static fixation in that axis, the SIF method provides its spontaneous activation several weeks after the surgery without the need neither for additional surgery nor for additional intraoperative fluoroscopy

Background/Aim. Distal tibial pilon fractures include extra-articular fractures of the tibial metaphysis and the more severe intra-articular tibial pilon fractures. There is no universal method for treating distal tibial pilon fractures. These fractures are treated by means of open reduction, internal fixation (ORIF) and external skeletal fixation. The high rate of soft-tissue complications associated with primary ORIF of pilon fractures led to the use of external skeletal fixation, with limited internal fixation as an alternative technique for definitive management. The aim of this study was to estimate efficacy of distal tibial pilon fratures treatment using the external skeletal and minimal internal fixation method. Methods. We presented a series of 31 operated patients with tibial pilon fractures. The patients were operated on using the method of external skeletal fixation with a minimal internal fixation. According to the AO/OTA classification, 17 patients had type B fracture and 14 patients type C fractures. The rigid external skeletal fixation was transformed into a dynamic external skeletal fixation 6 weeks post-surgery. Results. This retrospective study involved 31 patients with tibial pilon fractures, average age 41.81 (from 21 to 60) years. The average follow-up was 21.86 (from 12 to 48) months. The percentage of union was 90.32%, nonunion 3.22% and malunion 6.45%. The mean to fracture union was 14 (range 12-20) weeks. There were 4 (12.19%) infections around the pins of the external skeletal fixator and one (3.22%) deep infections. The ankle joint arthrosis as a late complication appeared in 4 (12.90%) patients. All arthroses appeared in patients who had type C fractures. The final functional results based on the AOFAS score were excellent in 51.61%, good in 32.25%, average in 12.90% and bad in 3.22% of the patients. Conclusion. External skeletal fixation and minimal internal fixation of distal tibial pilon fractures is a good method for treating all types of inta-articular pilon fractures. In fractures types B and C dynamic external skeletal fixation allows early mobility in the ankle joint. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41017]

Background/Aim. Besides the conquasant fractures, open tibia shaft fractures belong to the group of the most severe fractures of tibia. Open tibia shaft fracture is one of the most common open fractures of long bones. They most frequently occur as a result of traffic accidents caused by the influence of a strong direct force. Methods. Within the period from January, 2000 to December 31, 2005. at the Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Clinical Center Nis, 107 patients with open tibial fractures were treated. We analyzed 96 patients with open tibial fracture. In the series analyzed, the male sex was prevalent - there were 74 men (77.08%). The mean age was 47.3 years. The youngest patient was 17 years old, while the oldest patient was 79. According to the classification of the Gustilo et al. in the analysed group there were 30 (31.25%) open tibial fractures of the I degree, 31 (32.29%) of the II degree, 25 (26.05%) of the III A degree, 8 (8.33%) of the III B degree and 2 (2.08%) of the III C degree. In 95 of the patients the treatment of open tibia shaft fractures consisted of the surgical treatment of wound and the external fixation of the fractured bone using "Mitkovic" type external fixator with a convergent method of pin applications. One primary amputations had been done in patients with grade IIIC open tibial fracture with large soft tissue defect. Results. Of the 96 open tibial fractures available for follow-up, 73 (76.04%) healed without severe complications (osteitis, pseudoarthrosis, valgus malunion and amputation). Ther were nine (9.38%) soft tissue pin track infections and six (6.25%) superficial wound infections. The mean time of union was 21 (14-36) week. Among severe local complications associated with open tibial fractures, in eight patients (8.33%) was registered osteitis, and in nine patients (9.38%) fracture nonunion and the development of pseudoarthrosis. Three of the patients (3.13%) had more than 10 degree valgus malunion. In one patients (1.04%) deep pin track infection developed. Two patients (2.08%) had below the knee amputation (one primary in patient with type III C open fracture and one secondary after the development of deep infections). Conclusion. Surgical treatment of wounds, external fixation, leaving the wounds open and performing necessary debridements, adequate drug therapy administration are essential for obtaining good results in patients with open tibial shaft fractures.

Aim. To present the possibility of a successful use of external skeletal fixation in treating the open and closed tibial shaft fractures with Mitković’s external fixator. Methods. External fixation was used in 115 patients with 118 fresh tibial shaft fractures, 82 males (71.3%) and 33 females (28.7%), average age 43.92 years (16−84). Open tibial shaft fractures were present in 37 (31.36%). All the fractures were treated with Mitković’s external fixator type M 20. Results. The results of external fixation were excellent or good in 94.07% of the cases, and bad in 5.08%. Pin tract infection appeared in 7 (5.93%) patients. In only 3 cases an external fixator was removed and treatment continued with the functional braces. Nonunion occurred in 6 (5.08%) patients, of which 4 were with open fractures (2 Gustilo type IIIB, 1 Gustilo type IIIA, 1 Gustilo type II) and 2 with the segment fractures. Compartment syndrome was observed in 1 (0.85%) patient with closed fracture. Malunion was found in 2 (1.69%) patients. Conclusion. External fixation of tibial shaft fractures is a simple and effective method to enable the safe healing of fractures, early mobilization of the patients, early weight-bearing, as well as early rehabilitation. Fixation of tibial shaft fractures was unilateral with convergent pins orientation, and there was also a possibility of compression and distraction.

Pertrochanteric fractures usually occur in patients over 65 years of age, with greater loss of skeletal mass (osteoporosis). Nonsurgical methods of treatment are accompanied by relatively high lethality rate. Moreover, they do not produce satisfactory anatomical and functional results. Surgical treatment by using dynamic implants represents a method of choice in the fixation of pertrochanteric fractures. This paper presents the treatment results of 110 patients, 61 with pertrochanteric fractures, who were surgically treated by the dynamic method of internal fixation, and 49 patients who were treated by the method of external fixation. Dynamical implants enabled both dynamization and compression of the fracture in the axis of the neck, as well as the diaphysis of the femur, which lowered the risk of mechanical complications, and, at the same time, provided effective healing of the fracture, early activation, and mobilization of the patients on whom the surgery was performed. In patients infected by various diseases, for whom surgical trauma represents a life threat, the external fixation is recommended as a method of choice.

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Background/Aim. Besides the conquasant fractures, open tibia shaft fractures belong to the group of the most severe fractures of tibia. Open tibia shaft fracture is one of the most common open fractures of long bones. They most frequently occur as a result of traffic accidents caused by the influence of a strong direct force. Methods. Within the period from January, 2000 to December 31, 2005. at the Clinic for Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Clinical Center Nis, 107 patients with open tibial fractures were treated. We analyzed 96 patients with open tibial fracture. In the series analyzed, the male sex was prevalent -- there were 74 men (77.08%). The mean age was 47.3 years. The youngest patient was 17 years old, while the oldest patient was 79. According to the classification of the Gustilo et al. in the analysed group there were 30 (31.25%) open tibial fractures of the I degree, 31 (32.29%) of the II degree, 25 (26.05%) of the III A degree, 8 (8.33%) of the III B degree and 2 (2.08%) of the III C degree. In 95 of the patients the treatment of open tibia shaft fractures consisted of the surgical treatment of wound and the external fixation of the fractured bone using "Mitkovic" type external fixator with a convergent method of pin applications. One primary amputations had been done in patients with grade IIIC open tibial fracture with large soft tissue defect. Results. Of the 96 open tibial fractures available for follow-up, 73 (76.04%) healed without severe complications (osteitis, pseudoarthrosis, valgus malunion and amputation). Ther were nine (9.38%) soft tissue pin track infections and six (6.25%) superficial wound infections. The mean time of union was 21 (14-36) week. Among severe local complications associated with open tibial fractures, in eight patients (8.33%) was registered osteitis, and in nine patients (9.38%) fracture nonunion and the development of pseudoarthrosis. Three of the patients (3.13%) had more than 10 degree valgus malunion. In one patients (1.04%) deep pin track infection developed. Two patients (2.08%) had below the knee amputation (one primary in patient with type III C open fracture and one secondary after the devolopment of deep infections). Conclusion. Surgical treatment of wounds, external fixation, leaving the wounds open and performing necessary debridements, adequate drug therapy administration are essential for obtaining good results in patients with open tibial shaft fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]