Temporary external fixator

Throughout this treatment option illustrations of generic fracture patterns are shown, as four different types:

A) Unreduced fracture
B) Reduced fracture
C) Fracture reduced and fixed provisionally
D) Fracture fixed definitively

The modular external fixator is optimal for temporary use. It is rapidly applied without need for intraoperative x-rays and can be adjusted later. If possible the external fixation should be converted to a nail or plate within a week or two, before pin sites become infected. Ensure adequate pin care treatment until frame removal.

Details of external fixation are described in the basic technique for application of modular external fixator.

Specific considerations for the femur are given below.

This procedure is normally performed with the patient in a supine position with manual traction.

Prior to pin insertion, it is advisable to correct by manual traction any rotational deformity as well as any overlap of the fracture fragments. By maintaining axial traction, it will be possible to optimize pin placement, thereby facilitating the subsequent reduction maneuvers.

For safe pin placement make use of the safe zones and be familiar with the anatomy of the femur.

The safe zone for the femur is lateral. In temporary external fixation, the pins should be placed so that they do not interfere with planned later definitive fixation; this may mean placing femoral pins a little anteriorly.

Blunt dissection of the soft tissues and the use of small Langenbeck retractors will minimize muscular damage.

Using a straight clamp, prepare a channel for the insertion of the pin.

When applying three pins in each fragment, insert only two pins initially and link with a rod fully loaded with three clamps. After tightening the clamps on the initial two pins, insert the third pin through its relevant clamp. If all three pins are inserted at once, it may prove impossible to link all three to the tube, if they are in slightly different alignments.

To increase frame stability a neutralization rod should be added.

In distal shaft fractures or supracondylar fractures fixation can be accomplished a) by non-spanning external fixation with two pins in the condyle or b) by joint-spanning external fixation from femur to tibia as described in the distal femur module.

In cases of delayed conversion of the external fixator to a definitive fixation, check x-rays are advisable within the first week and regularly thereafter, to ensure that the quality of reduction has been maintained.

Close monitoring of the femoral muscle compartments should be carried out, especially during the first 48 hours, to ensure that compartment syndrome, requiring decompression by urgent fasciotomy, has not developed.

The patient should be taught appropriate pin-track care.

Whether the external fixation is temporary or definitive must be decided early after its placement. If desired, conversion to a nail or plate should be done within a week or two, before pin sites become infected. Of course, the patient’s general condition and local soft tissues must have become suitable to allow conversion of the external fixator to either a nail or plate.

If soft-tissue problems persist and/or the external fixator has been left on for 3 weeks or longer, the following steps need to be taken:

• Remove the external fixator and curette and wash the pin sites.
• Temporarily stabilize the femoral fracture in a Thomas’s splint.
• Let pin-tracks heal and then proceed to either nailing or plating.

Thick soft tissues around external fixation pins should be stabilized with compressive dressings or sponges. Otherwise, once bleeding has ceased, dressings can be replaced with daily pin site cleansing and an antibacterial ointment.

In the rare event that the fixator becomes the definitive fixation the aftercare should follow the guidelines as for definitive external fixation, as follow:

Unless there are other injuries or complications, mobilization may be started on postoperative day 1. Special emphasis should be placed on active knee and hip flexion. Continuous passive motion may be used, but interrupted from time to time for active muscle strengthening exercises.

Partial weight bearing (touch down, or 10-15 kg) may be performed with crutches or a walker. In transverse fractures weight bearing may be performed more assertively.

Wound healing should be assessed regularly on a short term basis within the first two weeks. Subsequently 6 and 12 week follow-ups are usually undertaken and more as indicated until the fracture has united.
Pin site care should be carried out daily until the frame is removed following fracture healing.