EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR OPEN TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES USING THE FESSA EXTERNAL FIXATION SYSTEM AT THONG NHAT HOSPITAL

Abstract

Open tibial shaft fractures are common injuries, accounting for the highest proportion of open long bone fractures. External fixation, particularly the FESSA frame, is highly valued for its safety, ease of application, and convenience in soft tissue wound care. To evaluate the outcomes of treating open tibial shaft fractures using the FESSA external fixation system at Thong Nhat Hospital. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 patients with open tibial shaft fractures treated with the FESSA frame. Bone healing was assessed using the RUST scoring system, and functional recovery was evaluated using the Karlström-Olerud criteria. The bone union rate was 92.3%, with an average healing time of 6.75 ± 3.44 months. Good and excellent functional recovery outcomes accounted for 87.5%. The FESSA external fixation system is an effective method for managing open tibial shaft fractures.