What is considered internal fixation?
Internal fixation is a surgical procedure that treats an unstable bone fracture by surgically implanting plates, screws, or pins to hold the bone fragments in place. Typically, the components are not removed even after the bone heals.
What are the disadvantages of external fixation?
Disadvantages of external fixation
- Meticulous pin insertion technique and skin and pin tract care are required to prevent pin tract infection.
- The pin and fixator frame can be mechanically difficult to assemble by the uninitiated surgeon.
- The equipment is expensive.
Is internal fixation better than external fixation?
A study from an international agency compared internal and external fixation long-term results and found that patients treated with internal fixation had better results anatomically, but did not demonstrate better functionality.
When do you use internal and external fixation?
External fixation is usually used when internal fixation is contraindicated- often to treat open fractures, or as a temporary solution. External fixation is also used in limb lengthening. Typically, the bone is cut diagonally in a surgical procedure.
When do you use external fixation?
External fixators are often used in severe traumatic injuries as they allow for rapid stabilization while allowing access to soft tissues that may also need treating. This is particularly important when there is significant damage to skin, muscle, nerves, or blood vessels.
What is the difference between Orif and CRIF?
Although ORIF has advantages of direct look and restoration of normal function, its application still limited by the potential negative effects of nerve damage, swelling, incomplete healing of the bone, increased pressure and blood clot. CRIF has advantages of avoiding injury to the medial circumflex femoral artery.
What are two advantages of external fixators?
Advantages – Minimal soft-tissue injury. Disadvantages – Nonrigid fixation; difficult to achieve anatomic fracture reduction; joint stiffness; pin-tract infections; septic arthritis.