title: Taylor spatial frame fixation in patients with multiple traumatic injuries: study of 57 long-bone fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) for primary and definitive fixation of lower limb long-bone fractures in patients with multiple traumatic injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive series of 52 patients, 57 fractures (25 femoral and 32 tibial), treated between 2005 and 2009. Forty-nine fractures (86%) were open. Injury Severity Score ≥16 for all patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four fractures (95%) underwent definitive fixation with the TSF and 3 were treated primarily within 48 hours of injury. In 22 cases (39%), fractures were acutely reduced with the TSF, fixed to bone and the struts in sliding mode without further adjustment, and in 35 cases (61%), the total residual deformity correction program was undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and radiological.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete union was obtained in 52 fractures (91%) without additional surgery at an average of 29 weeks. Four nonunions and 1 delayed union occurred. Results based on Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov criteria: 74% excellent, 16% good, 4% fair, and 7% poor for bone outcomes and 35% excellent, 47% good, and 18% fair for functional outcomes. Eighty-eight percent of patients returned to preinjury work activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary and definitive fixation with the TSF is effective. Advantages include continuity of device until union, reduced risk of infection, early mobilization, restoration of primary defect caused by bone loss, easy and accurate application, convertibility and versatility compared with a monolateral fixator, and improved union rate and range of motion for lower extremity long-bone fractures in patients with multiple traumatic injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Trauma Team, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: Yasser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Elbatrawy
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thabet
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zayed
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Capitani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult