Emergency use of external fixation combined with VSD for fracture of lower leg with serious soft tissue injury

Objective To explore the effect of external fixation combined with vacuum sealing drainage(VSD)in treating fracture of lower leg associated with serious soft tissue injury in emergency treatment.Methods Totally 41 cases were treated with external fixation and VSD.Eight cases with large area skin avulsion were treated by skin grafting,followed by VSD cover.Totally 24 cases of soft tissue defect and 9 cases of osteofascial compartment syndrome were covered with VSD.Results After 7-10 days of the application of VSD,8 cases of skingrafting were almost healed.Granulation tissue in 24 cases of soft tissue defect grew well without pus secretion.Good blood supply was found in 9 cases of osteofascial compartment syndrome.Flaps and skin graft after the secondary operation all survived.All cases were healed with no signs of osteomyelitis and nonunion after 6 months to 2 years follow up.Conclusion Using external fixation combined with VSD is an effective and efficient method for treating fracture of lower leg with serious soft tissue injury,which could emergently treat the injury of bone and soft tissue at the same time.