[Preoperative management with skeletal traction in distal tibial fractures].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the immediate management of distal tibial fractures as well as the complications of soft and bony tissues.


METHODS
Prospective review of 45 patients with distal tibial fractures during an 8-month period (August 1st 2005 to March 31st 2006). They were classified according to Rüedi and Allgöwer. Seventy-one percent were managed with transcalcaneal skeletal traction and 28% with Jones bandage. The neovascular status of the affected anatomical segment was reviewed and analyzed before and after the surgical procedure.


RESULTS
Type II distal fractures were the most frequent ones, with the left size and the male gender as predominant. Skeletal traction was used in 32 patients (71%); osteosynthesis was performed in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared with Jones bandage, transcalcaneal skeletal traction improved the clinical conditions of the distal segment of the leg before and after the surgical procedure.
Martínez Otero
Alejandro
A
Hospital General Dr. Rubén Leñero", SSGDF. thunderbild@yahoo.com.mx
Mafara Flores
Gerardo
G
Rodríguez Ramírez
Sixto
S
Martínez Flores
Lucio
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D014143:Traction