Treatment of comminuted fractures of the bones of the lower leg with rod and pincer apparatus

From 1997 to 1999 thirty eight patients with splintered and polyfocal crus fractures (9 patients had open fractures) were treated by transosseous osteosynthesis using rod or pin-rod devices. Splintered diaphyseal fractures were of В and C groups according to AO/ASIF classification but peri- and intraarticular fractures were of A2,3 and C groups. In fractures with large intermediate fragments an universal reposition device with «floating» fixators of rods was applied. In cases of peri- and intraarticular fractures as well as in fractures with small intermediate fragments Gorodnichenko’s pin-rod device was used. The device provided stable fixation and patients with diaphyseal crus fractures were allowed full weight bearing from 3-5 postoperative day. The operative intervention is a low traumatic one that promotes early postoperative mobilization of patients, decreases the term of hospital treatment (mean 8.9 days). Fracture healing was achieved in all patients, no complications such as the imfiammation of soft tissues surrounding pins or rods were observed. The fixation was 12-18 weeks.