OBJECTIVETo improve the treatment for severe open tibia-fibular fracture.

METHODSFrom 1994 to 2000, 146 patients with severe open tibia-fibular fracture were treated. According to Gustilo classification, all patients were of type III. Among them, 96 patients belonged to III A, 36 III B, and 18 III C. One hundred and eight patients were male and 38 female, aged from 11 to 68 years, with an average of 31. All patients were treated with unilateral external fixator combined with simple internal fixation (general screw or Kirschner wire). Thirty patients were treated with secondary flap operation. Among them, 19 patients received pedicle gastrocnemius muscle flaps, 9 free vastus lateralis muscle flaps, and 2 free latissimus dorsi muscle flaps.

RESULTSThree patients of type IIIB were subjected to amputation because of advanced age and associated cerebral or thoraco-abdominal injury. Five patients of type III C had amputation because of insufficient postoperative blood supply and necrosis. The rupture of other 138 patients was well reduced, and firmly fixed. They were followed up for 6 months-6 years, with an average of 2.5 years. The average time of fracture-union was 27 weeks, and the average time for removal of fixtors was 28 weeks. The motion of knee joint ranged from 0 to 120 degree in 110 patients; from 0 to 100 degrees in 25, and from 0 to 90 degrees. The motion of ankle joint was approximately normal.

CONCLUSIONSFor patients with severe open tibia-fibular fracture, comprehensive analysis should be made for preservation of the wounded limb or amputation as for elderly patients with vessel-nerve injury or with cerebral- thoracoabdominal injury, emergency amputation should be done. Unilateral external fixator combined with simple internal fixation (general screw or Kirschner wire) for severe open tibia-fibular fracture is advantageous for a simple and reliable fixation. It is less traumatic.