Use of the unilateral external fixator (monofixator) in fracture treatment: experience in 50 fractures.

From 1988 to 1992, a total of 50 fractures with associated soft tissue lesions were treated with a unilateral external fixator (monofixator). The location of the fracture was the tibia in 39 cases, the pelvis in 5 cases, the femur in 4 cases, and the ankle and the humerus in 1 patient each. There were 22 open fractures (56%). Unproblematic healing with the monofixator was achieved in 69.2% of tibial fractures after a mean healing time of 18.2 weeks. Axial dynamic compression was performed in 18 tibial fractures. Planned reosteosynthesis was performed in 8 tibial fractures (20%). No late problems were seen after secondary internal osteosynthesis. Complications with the monofixator in tibial fracture treatment were refracture in 3 patients, pin track infection in 3 patients and hypertrophic pseudarthrosis in 1 patient. The monofixator provides safe and stable fixation in lower limb fractures with severe associated soft tissue trauma. In unstable pelvic and femoral fractures, satisfactory reduction and stabilisation can be achieved, mostly lasting until definitive osteosynthesis is possible.