The damage control in tibial pilon open fractures with a new external fixator delta frame

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the damage control, in emergency to treat the open tibial pilon fractures with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy).Methods: From January 2017 to August 2017, at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Vito Fazzi Hospital Lecce, we treated 23 open tibial pilon fractures with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy). The evaluation criteria of the case series were: the time needed to assemble the external fixator; the time taked to treat the ankle associated lesions; the time of skin healing; the ankle alignment; the subjective/objective Ovadia and Beals score; and complications. The Endpoint assessment was set at the days of the definitive surgery.Results: The results in terms of alignment, biomechanical stability of the frame, healing of soft tissue, complications were as good as the objective and subjective results according Ovadia and Beals score.Conclusion: Pilon fractures are complex and often present complications; the damage control treatment, in emergency, with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy) permits a stable osteotaxis with minimal soft tissue damage and permit the repair of muscles, blood vessels and nerves with a stable bone and the soft tissue healing with vaccum therapy.

Keywords

• Tibial Pilon
• External fixation
• Delta frame
• Damage control
• Ankle outcomes
• Open fracture
• Soft tissue injury