title: Immediate internal fixation of open ankle fractures.
abstract: Seventy-six consecutive displaced open ankle fractures were treated by immediate internal fixation between 1983 and 1986 at Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center. Sixty-two patients were available for clinical and radiological examination at an average of 16.4 months post-fixation. Seventy-two percent of the patients had a satisfactory result. Poor results (20%) were most commonly due to non-anatomic reductions, articular surface damage, or deep infection. Deep infection occurred in 5% of the patients while 8% required late ankle arthrodesis. We believe immediate internal fixation is the treatment of choice for displaced open ankle fractures, but this form of treatment does have a significant rate of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Los Angeles County--University of Southern California 90033.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wiss
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Merritt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarmiento
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation