The damage control in tibial pilon open fractures with a new external fixator delta frame

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the damage control, in emergency to treat the open tibial pilon fractures with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy). Methods: From January 2017 to August 2017, at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Vito Fazzi Hospital Lecce, we treated 23 open tibial pilon fractures with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy). The evaluation criteria of the case series were: the time needed to assemble the external fixator; the time taked to treat the ankle associated lesions; the time of skin healing; the ankle alignment; the subjective/objective Ovadia and Beals score; and complications. The Endpoint assessment was set at the days of the definitive surgery. Results: The results in terms of alignment, biomechanical stability of the frame, healing of soft tissue, complications were as good as the objective and subjective results according Ovadia and Beals score. Conclusion: Pilon fractures are complex and often present complications; the damage control treatment, in emergency, with Dolphix® External Fixator Frame(CITIEFFE®, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, Italy) permits a stable osteotaxis with minimal soft tissue damage and permit the repair of muscles, blood vessels and nerves with a stable bone and the soft tissue healing with vaccum therapy.