A retrospective analysis of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the tibial plafond: Open reduction and internal fixation versus external Ilizarov fixation

Risk factors of deep infection in operatively treated pilon fractures (AO/OTA: 43)

“…Bacon et al evaluated complication rates in 42 pilon fractures treated with ORIF or external Ilizarov fixation and found an osteomyelitis rate of 20.0% and 23.1% respectively. 23 This data is similar in number to the results from this study. We believe that our results are generally applicable, as most academic trauma centers have faculty with varying experience managing pilon fractures.…”

Radiological and functional assessment of the tibial pilon fractures treated by Ilizarov external fixation

“…Soft tissue complications and deep infections are not frequent when external fixation is combined with minimally invasive surgery: Wyrsch [11] had infections in 5%, Tornetta [4] in 1 out of 17 cases, Barbieri [14] in 3 out of 37 cases. Bacon S et al [15] performed a study of ORIF Vs IEF and stated that the time for union in ORIF group as 10 months and IEF group as 6 months. In our study, the average time for union was 7 months (range from 2 ½ months -18 months).…”

Rehabilitation of Lower Extremity Trauma: a Review of Principles and Military Perspective on Future Directions

“…Multiple studies confirm the safety of immediate weight bearing after external fixation in most trauma settings, including calcaneal [10,11], tibial plafond [12,13], and tibial diaphysis [14,15] fractures. However, some studies have demonstrated higher rates of nonunion and infection in AO type C and comminuted tibial diaphysis fractures [12,17].…”

“…The plate fixation of calcaneal [8,9], tibial plafond [12], high-grade tibial [16], distal femoral, femoral shaft [29], and acetabular fractures all typically benefit from restricted weight bearing or non-weight bearing for up to 12 weeks after fixation. A notable exception is the use of percutaneous cancellous screw fixation for hip fracture, which may permit immediate weight bearing in the elderly [23][24][25].…”

“…However, some studies have demonstrated higher rates of nonunion and infection in AO type C and comminuted tibial diaphysis fractures [12,17]. Among limb salvage patients undergoing long-term bone and soft tissue stabilization, particularly in the setting of distraction osteogenesis, ringed fixators with rigid constructs can be used to allow full weight bearing.…”