title: External fixation in comminuted upper femoral fractures.
abstract: External fixation of comminuted upper femoral fractures has not been studied widely. The minority of such fractures which cannot be fixed internally due to clinical and anatomical problems are generally treated in traction. Early external fixators were not sufficiently robust to hold these fractures and pin site problems are more common in femoral fixation than in the tibia. A study was undertaken including all patients with comminuted upper femoral fractures who were too unwell or otherwise unsuitable for internal fixation. The long-term results were comparable, if not superior to traction, and patient comfort and mobilization were much improved.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery, Dundee Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Caiach
mesh_terms: D016267:External Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications