Perioperative Risks Associated with the Use of External Fixators in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Trauma

Abstract

External fixation is used in acute and elective cases in both adult and pediatric patients. Adequate selection of patients for external fixation is critical, especially in patients with polytrauma where the application of damage control orthopedics is considered. Deterioration of the bone-pin interface is the most common source of local postoperative complications. Pin loosening and pin track infection are the 2 most common complications. Treatment of pin loosening without infections consists of pin removal and reinsertion outside the affected area. Pin track infections are managed according to the infection severity, which is assessed using the Checketts-Otterburn classification.

Keywords: Complications; External fixation; Orthopedic trauma; Perioperative risks.