Functional and Radiological Comparison and Evaluation of Gustilo-Anderson Type 3 Open Tibia Fractures Treated with an Ilizarov External Fixator

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the functional and radiological results of Gustilo-Anderson (G-A) type 3 open tibial shaft fractures G-A treated with an Ilizarov external fixator (I-EF).Methods: Sixty-one patients (7 female, 54 male) who matched these criteria were included in the study.Patients who were treated with the I-EF for a G-A type 3 tibial shaft fracture between January 2013 and December 2018 were included in this retrospective study.The patients were divided into three groups: subtype 3A (I), subtype 3B (II), and subtype (III).The radiological, functional, and demographic features were also evaluated.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between G-A classification and age, gender, body mass index, full weight-bearing time, and rotational alignment (p>0.05).The G-A Subtype 3A Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) score was significantly higher than those of Subtypes 3B and 3C (p<0.05respectively).The time to union was shorter in G-A Subtype 3A cases than in subtype 3C cases (p<0.05).Coronal and sagittal alignment angulations were significantly lower in G-A subtype 3A than in subtypes 3B and 3C (p=0.022, and p<0.01 respectively).The Johner-Wruhs Score was lower than that of subtype 3C in patients with G-A Subtype 3A patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: Radiological and functional outcomes worsen as injury severity increases from subtype A to C in G-A type 3 open tibial shaft fractures.