Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the outcome of AO external fixator in open tibial fractures.
Methodology: This prospective study was carried out at at Department of Orthopedic and Spine Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from January 2013 to June 2015. Forty two patients with open fracture of tibia Gustilo type II, IIIA and IIIB were included in the study. After initial resuscitation and pre operative workup, all were treated with wound debridement, irrigation with normal saline and fixed with AO external fixator.
Results: Out of 42 patients, 35(83%) were males and 07(17%) females; with male to female ratio of 5:1. The mean age was 32+15 years. Mode of injury was road traffic accident in 28 (67%) patients, fire arm injury in 8(19%), fall from height in 2(5%) and bomb blast injury in 4(9%) patients. The type of fracture was Gastilo type-II in 7 (17%), Gastilo type-IIIA in 17(40%) and IIIB in 18(43%) cases. Middle-third of the tibia was involved in 24(57%), distal-third in 13(31%) and Proximal-third in 5(12%) cases. Complications seen were pin track infection in 13(31%), wound infection in 6(14%), non-union in 3(7%), mal-union in 3(7%) and delayed union in 4(10%) cases.
Conclusion: AO external fixator is simple and safe to apply and can be used for successful management of type II and III open tibial fractures.

Key words: Fracture, tibia, external fixator