title: [Treatment of severe tibial fractures with extensive soft tissue damage and/or contamination. Quality of life after use of the Ilizarov external fixator].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Ilizarov external fixator (IF) is an immediate and definitive treatment option for severe tibial fractures compromised by extensive soft tissue damage. The aim of this study was to assess the general performance of the IF and especially the impact on patient quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire including an SF-12 health survey and questions about various other aspects of quality of life was sent to all patients who received an IF for primary fracture treatment at a level 1 trauma centre between January 2000 and June 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 48 completed questionnaires were received from patients treated with IF for severe tibial fractures. The median time to removal of the IF was 154 days (range 70-614 days). The mean SF-12 mental component score (MCS) was 52 (SD±12) and the mean physical component score (PCS) was 38 (SD±11). Of the patients 100 % answered that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment and 91 % would choose the same method of treatment under similar circumstances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a high performance of IF in the treatment of severe tibial fractures with compromised soft tissue where more standard forms of treatment are contraindicated.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, North block, Level 5, Wellington Street, 6000, Perth, WA, Australien, dbaschera@bluewin.ch.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Baschera
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Walter
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wren
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Zellweger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
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