Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 1987
Comparative StudyFracture of the tibia complicated by acute compartment syndrome.
A consecutive series of 32 patients with tibia fractures complicated by compartment syndrome was treated with fasciotomy. One group was also treated with closed reduction of the fracture and cast immobilization and compared with a comparable group treated with internal fixation without case immobilization after fasciotomy. All other patients were treated with fasciotomy and reduction followed with either external skeletal fixation, pins and plaster, or skeletal traction. ⋯ Complications in both groups were similar, although one deep infection, which was resolved with appropriate treatment, occurred in the group treated with internal fixation. Six open tibia fractures were treated with external skeletal fixation after fasciotomy; the results were less satisfactory, but the initial injuries were also more severe in this group. Patients with closed tibial fractures complicated by compartment syndromes should be treated expeditiously with fasciotomy, followed by stable internal fixation.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 1987
Case ReportsFracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine without neurologic lesion.
An 18-year-old man with a fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine showed remarkable displacement, but without neurologic complications. The halo-femoral traction allowed a reduction, which has been only partially maintained. Despite this, the clinical result is satisfactory. The lesion appears to be more common than the few cases published in the literature would suggest.