Ilizarov ring fixator as a definitive management of fracture long bones of lower limb

We conducted a study evaluating the clinical and radiologic results of the fracture long bones using an Ilizarov Ring fixator as definitive treatment. : Clinical, observational, descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study. Fifty patients were included, 31 males (62%) and 19 females (38%), whose age was 43.60 ± 14.37 years; the time elapsed from the accident to admission in the Emergency Room was 1-16 hours, with a mean of 5.1 ± 3.35 hours. 8 patients (16%) had a Gustilo Anderson grade I open fracture, and 29 patients (58%) a Gustilo Anderson grade II fracture and 13 patients (26%) had a Gustilo Anderson Grade IIIThey were also classified according to the AO classification, with the following resulting groups: 13 (26%) patients were A3, 15 (30%) were B3, 10(20%) B1, 9 (18%) were B2, and 3(6%) were A2. The dynamization of the fixator was done at a mean of 10.5 ± 1weeks. Forty-six patients had healing at 24 ± 3 weeks; Gustilo I fractures healed at 21± 3 weeks; Gustilo II fractures at 24 ± 3 weeks, Gustilo III fractures at 27± 3 weeks with a P value of 0.48. In 4 patients (8%), due to absence of healing, the external fixator was exchanged for an intramedullary nail with a bone graft. : This fixator is safe in properly selected patients, since the few complications that occurred are similar to other reports using different internal fixation methods. Early application of the Ilizarov fixator constitutes an excellent management of open long bone fractures, especially types II, IIIA and IIIB, due to good functional and radiological results. Despite the technical difficulties and some complications (which are mostly minor) IEF may be the preferred method in open long bone fractures, especially types II and III.