Present day management of open fractures involve systematic methods that reduce mortality and limit disability. Open fractures are fractures with a break in the overlying skin that communicates with the fracture hematoma. These are challenging situations that lead to complications like non-union and infections if not adequately treated. CLASSIFICATION OF OPEN FRACTURES Gustilo et al. classification is most widely used to grade the severity of open fractures.
The factors considered include intraoperative determination of the size of the skin laceration and extent of tissue damage. Type I – Clean open fractures with skin laceration less than 1cm and minimal tissue injury. Type II – Wound greater than 1cm, with moderate involvement of soft tissues and adequate bone coverage. Type III A – High impact fractures with contamination, extensive soft tissue injury is present but adequate…
