External fixation of high-energy tibia fractures.

External fixation (EF) of tibia fractures has been associated with nonunions and malunions at our large pediatric trauma center. This study was designed to determine the successes and shortcomings of EF, especially with respect to maintenance of alignment and time to union. We believe that this will contribute to the limited amount of literature examining the complications associated with this treatment modality in the pediatric population. Thirty-one consecutive high-energy tibia fractures treated with EF over 4.5 years were analyzed. There were 22 boys and 9 girls (4-17 years old; mean, 11.9 years). Mean length of follow-up was 15 months. Of the 31 fractures analyzed, 19 were open fractures (12 closed, 3 grade I, 9 grade II, and 7 grade III). Of 30 fractures, 3 required skin graft, whereas 7 required fasciotomy. Mean duration of EF was 3.2 months. Mean time to union was 4.8 months. For complication rates, 4 of 30 had delayed union, 2 of 30 had nonunion, 8 of 30 had minor malunion, 3 of 30 had major malunion, 3 of 30 had leg length discrepancy, 8 of 30 had pin track infection, 3 of 30 had wound infection, 2 of 30 had osteomyelitis, and 4 of 30 required surgery for nonunion. Time to union differed between those aged 11 years or younger and those aged 12 years or older (means of 3.2 and 6.0 months, respectively; P = 0.001). Union time also differed between those with closed or grade I open fractures and those with grade II or III open fractures (3.9 and 5.7 months, respectively; P = 0.035). Leg length discrepancy rate differed between children aged 11 years or younger and those aged 12 years or older (3/13 and 0/18, respectively; P = 0.05). Although EF has been touted as the standard treatment of high-energy pediatric tibia fractures, our close analysis revealed a high rate of problems such as long union times (especially ages >or=12), malunion, leg length discrepancy (especially ages <or=11), and pin track infection.