Complication rate and pitfalls of temporary bridging external fixator in periarticular communited XXXX .

@entity1 @entity174 @entity128 @entity531 @entity281 @entity346
BACKGROUND: A second staged operation using @entity346 ( @entity346 ) has been widely used in @entity1 with periarticular complex @entity174 , yet few papers have been published on the related complications. The purpose of this study was to report the complication rate and pitfalls directly related to @entity346 through a retrospective study and to suggest some solutions. METHODS: Fifty-nine cases that were treated by using @entity346 were studied among 195 periarticular complex @entity174 . We retrospectively collected the clinical and radiological data and then the study data was evaluated for 1) cases with unsatisfactory restoration of length, 2) cases with @entity281 caused by half pins invading the zone of definitive fixation, and 3) @entity531 related to half pins. RESULTS: Complications were observed in 7/59 cases (11%). Problems related to the achievement of length were observed in one case of @entity174 and 2 cases of @entity174 . Half pin related infection was observed in 2 cases of @entity174 . @entity531 (medial @entity128 in a @entity174 ) was observed in 2 cases. Among 7 complications, four were related to using @entity346 in @entity174 . This is because the abundant leg muscles have strong deforming force and infection might be increased due to frequent irritation by the half pins. CONCLUSIONS: @entity346 is a simple procedure with several advantages. However, complications might be observed if certain principles are not followed. It is thought that many complications due to @entity346 can be reduced if the half pins are not inserted in the zone of injury, restoration of length is fully achieved and the neurovascular characteristics are carefully considered. In particular, much more caution is needed in the distal femur, which has abundant muscles surrounding it.
