Abstract

RODRIGUEZ ANGULO, Miguel A. et al. Treatment of polyfractured patients with RALCAâ external fixators. Rev Cubana Ortop Traumatol [online]. 1999, vol.13, n.1-2, pp. 90-94. ISSN 1561-3100.

A review was made aimed at showing the results obtained in 53 polyfractured patients treated with RALCA® external fixators in our center from 1989 to 1995. It was observed that these patients had no lesions affecting the vital functions, since they were evaluated in other centers and referred to our institution. Of the 121 fractures treated, 43 (35.5%) were open and 78 (64.5%) closed. 116 were localized in the tibia and femur. For the reduction it was only necessary to expose the focus of the fracture in 15 (12.3%). 55 (94.8%) of the tibial fractures with a pseudoarthrosis (1.7%) and 54 (91.5%) of the femoral fractures with a pseudoarthrosis (1.6%) were consolidated in less than 6 months. The complications were assessed by Paley’s system with the following results: 20 (16.5%) of problems, 7 (5.7%) of obstacles and 5 (4.1%) of complications. It was stressed that it is a useful method to treat polyfractured patients that allows to stabilize the fractures without opening the fracture focus in a large number of cases and that the early rehabilitation of the patient makes possible the mobility of the adjacent joints with a low percentage of complications.

Keywords : TIBIAL FRACTURES [surgery]; FEMORAL FRACTURES [surgery]; EXTERNAL FIXATORS [utilization]; PSEUDOARTHROSIS.

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