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JFAS Instructional Course| Volume 49, ISSUE 1, P87-92, January 2010

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Prevention and Management of Complications Arising from External Fixation Pin Sites

  • Christopher Bibbo
    Correspondence
    Address correspondence to: Christopher Bibbo, DO, DPM, FACS, FACFAS, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Department of Surgery, 1000 North Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54449.
    Affiliations
    Chief, Foot & Ankle Section, Department of Orthopaedics, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI; Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI; Clinical Instructor, St. Joseph Hospital/North Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Residency Program, Chicago, IL
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  • Jon Brueggeman
    Affiliations
    Shore Medical Clinic of Milwaukee, WI; Clinical Instructor, St. Joseph's Hospital, Milwaukee, WI; Clinical Instructor, St. Joseph Hospital/North Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Residency Program, Chicago, IL
    Search for articles by this author

      Abstract

      The use of external fixation devices to assist in the management of lower extremity trauma and reconstruction continues to rise. Despite the distinct advantages of external fixation, complications from external fixators continue to exist. The complicated external fixator–associated pin site may be a potential source of significant morbidity, especially in the at-risk patient, which may lead to soft tissue healing problems and infections, as well as osteomyelitis. This article describes both simple as well as more complex techniques that the authors use in the prevention and management of complications arising from external fixator pin sites, and solutions to the difficult task of incorporating external fixator wires into negative-pressure dressings.

      Level of Evidence

      Keywords

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