Description
We review the indications for operative management of paediatric fractures and discuss injury patterns in which external fixation offers advantages over other treatment modalities. Fine wire external fixators offer a highly adaptable approach to primary facture stabilisation and a broad array of reconstructive options for complex trauma cases. The indication for external fixation increases with increasing injury severity both to bone and soft tissue. We highlight the concept of “bone loss in situ” and the efficacy of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of both predicted and established non-union of paediatric long bone fractures.
