External Fixation as a Primary and Definitive Treatment for Tibial Diaphyseal Fractures: a Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Aim:To assess the potency of unilateral external fixation as a proper cure for tibial fractures. Study design: A retrospective longitudinal study Place and duration: This study was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad Pakistan from August 2020 to August 2021. Methodology:Treatment of 225 tibial shaft fractures was done, in which closed fractures took 22 weeks and open 26 weeks for complete fusion. All fractures were fixed with AO fixator Results:Data of 210 patients was evaluated. Treatment of 225 tibial shaft fractures was done, in which closed fractures took 22 weeks and open 26 weeks for complete fusion. A total of 17 nonunion patients were observed while there were 22 delayed fusions, 5 malunion, 59 pin infections, and 4 osteomyelitis, 43 patients went through the re-operation process. Conclusion:Four patients had fat embolism while pulmonary embolism was present in six and venous thrombosis in 15 patients. The ultimate treatment in 88.0% of patients was external fixation. If there is a no formation of callus formation, reoperation should be carried out so unilateral external fixation is the preferred treatment for tibial fractures.