Using the Ilizarov external fixation device for skin expansion

Addressing war injuries requires tailoring treatment that provides the best functional and aesthetic results within a reasonable period of time. The authors report a young soldier who sustained a gunshot injury that caused an open fracture of the proximal tibia and patella (Gustilo type B-III). A lo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of plastic surgery Vol. 45; no. 5; p. 535
Main Authors Lerner, A, Ullmann, Y, Stein, H, Peled, I J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.2000
Subjects
Adult
Fractures, Open - surgery
Humans
Ilizarov Technique
Israel
Male
Military Personnel
Patella - injuries
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Tibial Fractures - surgery
Tissue Expansion - methods
Wounds, Gunshot - surgery
Israel
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Summary:Addressing war injuries requires tailoring treatment that provides the best functional and aesthetic results within a reasonable period of time. The authors report a young soldier who sustained a gunshot injury that caused an open fracture of the proximal tibia and patella (Gustilo type B-III). A local muscle flap could not be used, and thus the authors decided to use the already applied Ilizarov device for gradual expansion of the wound edge. The expanded skin covered the exposed fracture successfully, and later enabled solid union of the fracture. This reconstructive method seems to be an original solution for the management of open fractures, and additional proof that well-vascularized skin may be equivalent to a muscle flap, and may be considered for selected patients.
ISSN:0148-7043
DOI:10.1097/00000637-200045050-00012