External fixators for open fractures of tibia and fibula in patients with haemophilia A

To evaluate the efficacy of external fixators (EFs) for management of open fractures of tibia and fibula in patients with haemophilia A. EFs are commonly used in the clinical management of infected or open fractures when internal fixation is contraindicated and plaster immobilization is inadequate. However, EFs have not been frequently used for these indications in haemophilic patients for fear of pin tract infection and bleeding. This is a retrospective therapeutic study. We describe the use of EF (Orthofix uniplanar fixators) in five patients (mean age: 31.4 years; range: 10-52) with haemophilia A suffering from open fracture of tibia and fibula (Gustilo classification ranging from II to IIIA). The average time to union was 23 weeks (range: 18-30 weeks). Much lower levels were subsequently maintained till wound healing. The average total factor consumption was 358.30 IU kg(-1) (range: 272421 IU kg(-1)), administered over a period of 14.2 days (range 9-21). There were no major complications related to EF. In summary, EFs can be used safely and effectively in management of open fractures of tibia and fibula in patients with haemophilia A.