Open tibia fractures.

Open tibia fractures can be very challenging fractures to care for. Good results should be expected, however, if a thorough irrigation and debridement is performed, repeated as necessary, and appropriate antibiotics utilized. Soft tissue coverage is extremely important in open tibia fractures to decrease the rate of infection and to facilitate fracture healing. Bony stabilization can be achieved in a variety of ways. In the past, the gold standard has been external fixation. In the future, however, small, unreamed, locked intramedullary nails may be utilized more frequently, especially with Types I, II and IIIA open tibia fractures.