OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of early external fixation for open tibia and fibula fractures on the treatment and prognosis of severe multiple injuries.

METHODSSeventy-three patients were reviewed in the study. According to the surgical methods for tibia and fibula fractures, the patients with severe multiple injuries were divided into 2 groups: 42 patients in the treatment group, including 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 40.2 years; 31 patients in the control group, ineluding 22 males and 9 females, with an average age of 42.6 years. The patients in treatment group were treated urgently with debridement, diaplasis and fixation with external fixator, and patients in control group were treated urgently with debridement, calcaneal traction or gypsum external fixation. The incidence rate and mortality of ARDS and MODS, wound infection rate, wound healing time, and fracture healing time between the 2 groups was compared.

RESULTSThe incidence rate and mortality of complications (ARDS) had significant differences between the 2 groups, those in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There were significant decreases in the infection rate and wound healing time in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONExternal fixation for severe multiple injuries with open tibia and fibula fracture has been proved to be good, which can significantly reduce the mortality and incidence rate of complications and wound infection rate, promote wound healing.