Temporarily double-pin external fixator fixation following unstable ankle fracture

Abstract This study designed a new type of double-pin external fixator for temporary fixation of unstable ankle fractures, and the safety and effectiveness of this fixation method were explored. Cases were included in patients with ankle fractures treated in the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at Peking University People's Hospital from February 2016 to February 2020. Two groups of cases were obtained (cast group, n=19; double-pin external fixator group, n=21). All cases received the same postoperative care, and the VAS score before and after temporary fixation, the maintenance of fracture reduction, the complications of temporary fixation and the interval time were recorded. All patients completed follow-ups. There were 4 cases and 0 cases of complications in the cast and double-pin external fixator groups respectively. 6 cases and 1 case each had a loss of reduction in the cast and double-pin external fixator groups respectively. There was no difference in interval time for final open reduction with internal fixation between the two groups. The post-fixation VAS score of the double-pin external fixator group was significantly lower than that of the cast group. This technique is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for the temporary reduction of unstable ankle fractures with double-pin external fixator which can relieve patients' pain, effectively maintain the length of the lateral malleolus, and create good soft tissue conditions for elective surgery under the state of grasping the indications strictly.