Bone and Joint Injury
Effect of axial load test in assisting Taylor spatial frame for tibia and fibula fractures
Zhao Liu, Chunyou Wan, Tao Zhang, Mingjie Wang, Ningning Zhang, Qihang Ge, Haikun Cao, Wei Yong, Yuanhang Zhao, Weiye Zhang
Published 2019-04-15
Cite as Chin J Trauma, 2019, 35(4): 348-353. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-8050.2019.04.009
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of axial load test in Taylor spatial frame treatment of external fixation for tibia and fibula fractures.
MethodsA retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 36 patients with open fracture of tibia and fibula admitted to Tianjin Hospital from March 2015 to June 2017. There were 22 males and 14 females, aged 21-71 years [(46.1±14.2)years]. All patients received Taylor spatial frame external fixation for tibia and fibula fracture within 1 week after injury. After operation, 18 patients received axial load test (experiment group), and the other 18 did not (control group). When the value of axial load test was less than 5% in experiment group, the Taylor spatial frame was removed. The control group used traditional method to remove the Taylor spatial frame. Comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of treatment duration, total cost, re-fracture after Taylor spatial frame removal and incidence of stent-tract infection.
ResultsAll patients were followed up for 3-14 months with an average of 8.6 months. Compared with control group, the treatment duration [(36.17±11.44)weeks vs. (44.50±9.16)weeks] and total cost [(93.7±7.9)thousand yuan vs. (120.1±10.6)thousand yuan] of experiment group were significantly lower (P<0.05). In the experiment group, there was 0 patient with re-fracture and two patients with stent-tract infection, with the complication incidence of 11%, while there were two patients with re-fracture and three patients with stent-tract infection, with the complication incidence of 28% in the control group (P>0.05).
ConclusionsAfter Taylor spatial frame external fixation for tibia and fibula fractures, regular axial load test can safely and timely guide the removal of Taylor spatial frame. It can reduce the treatment duration and cost compared with the traditional removal method, being safe and reliable.
Key words:
Tibial fractures; Fibula; External fixators; Axial loading
Contributor Information
Zhao Liu
Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
Chunyou Wan
No.1 Ward of Limb Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
Tao Zhang
No.1 Ward of Limb Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
Mingjie Wang
No.1 Ward of Limb Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China
Ningning Zhang
Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
Qihang Ge
Graduate School of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Tianjin 300193, China
Haikun Cao
Graduate School of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Tianjin 300193, China
Wei Yong
Graduate School of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Tianjin 300193, China
Yuanhang Zhao
Graduate School of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Tianjin 300193, China
Weiye Zhang
Graduate School of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Tianjin 300193, China
