@article{Khan_Shah_Aslam_Arif_2013, title={Complications of the Use of A.O External Skeletal Fixator in the Treatment of Type – III Open Tibial Fractures}, volume={18}, url={https://annalskemu.org/journal/index.php/annals/article/view/371}, DOI={10.21649/akemu.v18i1.371}, abstractNote={<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 2pt; text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives:  </strong>To determine the complications encountered at our institution during the use of A.O tubular external fixator in the treatment of type-III open tibial fractures.</p> <p><strong>Place and Duration of Study:  </strong>From July 2011 to December 2011, at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital, Lahore (University College Medicine and dentistry).</p> <p><strong>Subjects</strong><strong> and Methods:  </strong>Thirty cases were included in the study. All the patients between 10 - 59 years of age with type - III open tibial fractures were admitted through emergency department. After complete resuscitation, fracture was stabilized with A.O fixator after adequate debridement under appropriate anaesthesia.</p> <p><strong>Results:  </strong>Majority of the patients in study were males. The mean age in study was 31.23 ± 14.151 years. Road traffic accidents were observed to be the major cause of injury in 27 patients (90%). Delayed union<br /> was observed in 11 cases (36.67%). Non union was observed in 12 patients (40.0%). The most common post operative complication was pin tract infection. Pin tract infection was observed in 17 patients (56.66%) and pin loosening in 16 patients (53.33%). Out of 130 pin sites in 30 fractures 34 became infected, representing a pin tract infection of 26.15%. Pin loosening was observed in 16 pins (12.31%).</p> <h1>Conclusion:  We concluded that External fixator is the best available method of fixation in grade III open tibial fractures with severe soft tissue injuries.</h1> <p><strong>Key Words:</strong>  External fixator, open fracture, Tibia, Non-union.</p><p> </p>}, number={1}, journal={Annals of King Edward Medical University}, author={Khan, Talat Bashir and Shah, Zakir Ali and Aslam, Naveed and Arif, Uzma}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={25} }