Characterization of Open Tibial Fractures

Abstract

Introduction: Diaphyseal fractures of the tibia are those most frequently treated by orthopedic surgeons in their common practice. The exposed fracture of the tibia is a surgical emergency that requires debridement, lavage, reduction and stabilization of the bone fragments as soon as possible, and initiation of the administration of prophylactic antibiotics. 

Objective: To characterize patients with grade II and IIIA exposed tibial fracture, treated by stabilization with an intramedullary nail, identifying production mechanism, number of surgical interventions per patient, as well as the main complications found.

Method: An observational, descriptive, ambispective and cross-sectional study in patients with an open fracture of the tibia treated surgically with an intramedullary locking nail.

Results: The age of the patients ranged between 21 and 69 years. Male sex predominated (65.4%), the major traumatic cause was accidents on public roads (37 patients); Grade IIIA open middle third fractures predominated with hospital stays of less than 10 days, and complications in a third of the patients. 

Conclusions: High incidence was observed in male patients between the ages of 18 and 29 due to traffic accidents. The usual location was the middle third and more than half were classified as grade IIIA of Gustilo and Anderson typology.