Treatment of tibial shaft fractures with Mitkovic type external fixation: Analysis of 100 patients

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Tibial shaft fractures (TSF) are one of the most common fractures. External fixation (EF) may be used to treat TSF. The aim of this study was to analyze the treatment of TSF with Mitkovic EF. Methods. The study included 100 patients with TSF treated with Mitkovic EF as the primary and definite method of treatment. The results are compared to those in the literature. Results. The patient group comprised 67% male and 33% female patients aged 10?71years. TSF is common in adult males in the fourth and fifth decades of life. The most common cause is falling with the twisting of the leg (59%). Closed fractures were observed in 76 patients (57.4% of type A AO, 25.4% of type B AO, and 17.1% of type C AO), and open fractures in 34 patients (50% of type I GA, 32.35% of type II GA, and 17.64% of type III GA). The average time period from injury to surgery was 2.5 days (the range being 4 hours to 9 days). Bone healing was achieved in 93% of patients. The average healing time was 18.4 weeks (the range being 11?32 weeks). The distribution of complications is as follows: 10% for minor pin site infections; 4% for major pin site infections; 6% for nonunion; 1% for acute respiratory distress syndrome; 2% for osteitis. There was no deep vein thrombosis nor neurovascular damage. EuroQol score was excellent in 82% of the patients. Conclusion. Mitkovic EF can be used for treating all types of TSF. Functional results of treatment by this method are excellent. The data analysis of the series does not differ from the data in the literature.