title: Treatment of grade IIIB and grade IIIC open tibial fractures.
abstract: The treatment of grade IIIB and grade IIIC open tibia fractures remains a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. This article explores the history of clinical management, current methods of stabilization, and decision-making algorithms, special attention is given to the debate regarding limb salvage versus amputation.
authors.affiliation: R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Turen
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: DiStasio
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures