This book details the protocol of staged external fixation developed by the authors: primary temporary unilateral tubular stabilization followed by definitive circular Ilizarov (hybrid) fixation. Coverage explains and fully illustrates the rationale and advantages of a logical progression of surgical steps. The book draws from an archive of clinical photographs and X-ray documentation that cover all steps in a large variety of complex cases.

Introduction: Statistics

Epidemiology. Etiology and pathogenesis
Missile injuries
Explosive Blast Crush injuries. Classification according to extent of bone and soft tissue loss. Primary treatment and "damage control": Tissue debridement of high-energy injuries
Primary skeletal stabilization (unilateral external fixation frames, hybrid frames, temporary articular bridging)
Soft-tissue protection by external fixation frames
Vascular reconstruction. Soft-tissue coverage (delayed primary suture, skin and local tissue flaps, free tissue flaps). Definitive skeletal reconstruction: Ilizarov circular fixation
Hybrid frames (variations in modular combination between different types of external fixation devices)
Hinged fixation of peri-articular injuries
Peculiarity of the elbow joint reconstruction: methods of isolated hybrid external fixation of humeral, ulnar and radial bones
Arthrodesis in extensive joint destruction. Limb salvage in severe bone and soft tissue loss: Bone reconstruction by callotasis and bone transport
Acute shortening
Acute shortening and angulation. Post-traumatic infection: Soft tissue
Bone. Early functional rehabilitation, especially in peri-articular injuries: Active and passive joint mobilization in external frames
Weight bearing
Tactics in bilateral lower limb injuries, including one-sided limb loss. Algorithms and conclusions.