title: Complications of open tibial fractures.
abstract: Ninety-six open tibial shaft fractures in 93 patients were examined to determine the incidence of amputation, nonunion and infection in each of three types of open fractures. Amputation occurred in four patients, who had type III fractures. Nonunion developed in two of 20 type II fractures, and 16 of 59 patients with type III fractures did not result in amputation (three of 62 total type III open fractures resulted in immediate amputation). Infection occurred in one of the 20 type II open fractures and 14 of 59 type III fractures. The distribution of infection and nonunion in the three grades of open fractures proved to be statistically significant, whereas the occurrence of amputation did not.
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Brueckmann
authors: G J
authors: GJ
authors: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery