Abstract
It is very difficult to categorize whether external fixator serves the purpose of replacement of internal fixation or it acts as an augmentation of internal fixation because in difficult orthopaedic conditions it is helpful for both situations. For fixation of compound fractures with severe soft tissue damage and infected and gap non-union where bone transportation is mandatory, external fixation is the implant of choice and acts as a replacement of internal fixator. On the contrary severe comminuted epiphyseal fractures involving the articular surface temporary application of external fixator to achieve the reduction followed by internal fixation with appropriate implant is the treatment of choice. For correction of malunited fracture leading to deformity and shortening either as acute procedure or delayed procedure, external fixators can be used as an augment of internal fixator.
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Basu, S. (2023). External Fixator as an Augment or Alternative to an Internal Fixator. In: Banerjee, A., Biberthaler, P., Shanmugasundaram, S. (eds) Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7540-0_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7540-0_19
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