ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Severe open fractures of long bones of the lower extremities still pose a considerable challenge to the treating surgeon. Despite the evolution of the methods of their treatment over the past years, the overall morbidity of these injuries remains significant, especially when severe open fractures are treated by less-experienced surgeons. The goals of the management of open fractures can be summarized as the prevention of deep sepsis, fracture healing, and ultimate complete functional recovery of the injured limb. These goals can only be achieved with close adherence to a strict protocol of treatment, consisting of tetanus prophylaxis, intravenous administration of appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, meticulous wound debridement, operative stabilization of the skeletal injury, and early soft-tissue coverage of the open wound (1-3).
