Objective To compare the hemostatic effects and tourniquet induced side reactions of 2 different tourniquets in internal fixation of bilateral tibia and fibula fracture. Methods Between May 2008 and May 2010, 21 patients with bilateral tibia and fibula fracture were treated and randomly divided into 2 groups according to left and right l imbs. When steel plate fixation was performed, equil ibrium pressure pneumatic tourniquet (EPPT group) and common tourniquet (common group) were used to staunch the flow of blood respectively. The time of using tourniquet was 60 minutes, and the hemostatic pressure was 50 kPa. There were 12 males and 9 females with an age range of 17 to 58 years (mean, 32.5 years). Injurywas caused by traffic accident in 9 patients, by heavy pound in 6 patients, and fall ing from height in 6 patients. According to X-ray calssification, there were 15 cases of simple type, 3 cases of butterfly type, and 3 cases of comminuted type in EPPT group; there were 13 cases of simple type, 5 cases of butterfly type, and 3 cases of comminuted type in common group. The time from injury to operation was 3 to 72 hours (mean, 37.5 hours). Results The time of using tourniquet was (95.30 ± 4.19) minutes in EPPT group and (94.11 ± 5.16) minutes in common group, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). All the incision of 2 groups healed by first intension. After 2 weeks of operation in common group, peroneal nerve injury occurred in 3 cases, and was cured by supporting nerve for 3 months; bl ister occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing change for 3 weeks; and the injury rate was 19%. No compl ication occurred in EPPT group with an injury rate of 0. There was significant difference in the injury rate between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). The hemostatic effects were excellent in 19 cases and good in 2 cases of EPPT group, were excellent in 10 cases, good in 3 cases, and poor in 8 cases of common group; the excellent and good rate were 100% and 61.9% respectively, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). All patients were followed up 3-24 months. Fracture healed without nonunion and deformity union in 2 groups. Conclusion Comparing to common tourniquet, the EPPT can provide good bloodless field, lower hemostatic pressure, and less tourniquet compl ication.
Between 1988 and 1991,27 cases of open fractures of shank bones complicated by soft tissue defect were repaired with fasciocutaneous flaps. The wound surfaces in 11 cases were closed in the first stage and in 16 cases the repair was delayed. The wounds of all the 27 cases had good healing, In fasciocutaneous flaps the blood supply was sufficient and this contributed to subsequent healing. The operation was simple, regardless of the postion of the wound and not damaging the blood vessels. An accurate estimation of the degree of contusion of the soft tissues surrounding the wound was prerequisite to select immediate transposition of fasciocutaneous flapsor delayed transposition.
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of the axial load mechanical testing for removing external fixator. MethodsBetween January 2014 and August 2015, 27 patients with tibia and fibula fractures caused by trauma underwent an external fixation. Of 27 patients, 21 were male and 6 were female with the average age of 45 years (range, 19-63 years), including 7 cases of closed fracture and 20 cases of open fracture. X-ray film results showed spiral unstable fracture in 4 cases and comminuted unstable fracture in 23 cases. All patients underwent an external fixation. Bone nonunion occurred in 3 cases because of infection, and bone nonunion combined with bone defect occurred in 1 case, who received tibial osteotomy lengthening surgery. When X-ray film showed continuity high density callus formation at fracture site, axial load mechanical test was performed. If the axial load ratio of external fixator was less than 10%, the external fixator was removed. ResultsAt 21-85 weeks after external fixation (mean, 44 weeks), axial load mechanical test was performed. The results showed that the axial load ratio of external fixation was less than 10% in 26 cases, and the external fixator was removed; at 6 weeks after removal of external fixator, the patients could endure full load and return to work, without re-fracture. The axial load ratio was 14% in 1 case at 85 weeks, and the X-ray film result showed that fracture did not completely heal with angular deformity; re-fracture occurred after removing external fixator, and intramedullary fixation was used. ConclusionExternal fixator axial load mechanical testing may objectively reveal and quantitatively evaluate fracture healing, so it is safe and reliable to use for guiding the external fixator removal.