title: Advances in treating exposed fractures.
abstract: The management of exposed fractures has been discussed since ancient times and remains of great interest to present-day orthopedics and traumatology. These injuries are still a challenge. Infection and nonunion are feared complications. Aspects of the diagnosis, classification and initial management are discussed here. Early administration of antibiotics, surgical cleaning and meticulous debridement are essential. The systemic conditions of patients with multiple trauma and the local conditions of the limb affected need to be taken into consideration. Early skeletal stabilization is necessary. Definitive fixation should be considered when possible and provisional fixation methods should be used when necessary. Early closure should be the aim, and flaps can be used for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nogueira Giglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fogaça Cristante
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ricardo Pécora
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Partezani Helito
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Lucia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lei Munhoz Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dos Santos Silva
keywords: Exposed fractures/classification; Exposed fractures/diagnosis; Wounds and injuries